High-speed data printout

Claim 2

Apparatus for printing from coded signals that identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: an array of character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each column containing at least one of each of said distinct characters; means for moving a recording web along said array of characterdefining elements in a direction parallel to said columns thereof, an array of actuator elements each being associated with a separate one of said character-defining elements for causing the associated character-defining element to impart its character to said recording web, said actuator elements of any row being energizable independently of the timing of energization of the actuator element of other rows, a data storage receiving and temporarily storing said coded signals, and control means for repetitively examining said data storage to detect coincidences between the momentary position of an area of said recording web and a character-defining element corresponding to a character which is to be imprinted thereat, said control means energizing the corresponding ones of said actuator elements upon detection of said coincidences, and wherein said control means cyclically repeats said examination of said data storage and energization of appropriate ones of said actuators more than once while a given line of printing on said recording web moves from a given row of said characterdefining elements to the adjacent row thereof.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a line signal generator producing a line signal in response to predetermined increments of movement of said paper past said array of character-defining elements, and wherein said control means is coupled to said line signal generator and controlled thereby to repetitively examine said memory and energize appropriate ones of said actuators in response to said line signals from said generator.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 whereiN said line signal generator produces said line signals at intervals which are less than the time required for a given point on said web to travel from one row of said character-defining elements to the next row thereof.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said line signal generator has a control for selectively changing the repetition rate of said line signals relative to the time interval required for a point on said web to move from one of said rows of character-defining elements to the next row thereof whereby the spacing of lines of printing on said recording web may be selectively changed.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 having a line signal-producing means coupled to said control means for producing line signals which determine the cycling rate at which said control means examines said data storage and actuates appropriate ones of said actuator elements, said line signal-producing means comprising: a rotatable element coupled to said means for moving said web whereby said rotatable element rotates in synchronism with the movement of said web and at a rate proportional to the speed of said web, pulse-generating means having an input controlled by said rotatable element for generating said line signals at a repetition rate determined by the angular speed of said rotatable element, and means for selectively changing the number of said line signals produced by said pulse-generating means in response to a given increment of rotation of said rotatable element.

Claim 7

In an apparatus for printing from coded signals which identify distinct characters to be printed in a plurality of lines of printing on a moving recording web, an array of character-imprinting means and supporting means therefor, said character-imprinting means and supporting means therefor, said character-imprinting means being arranged in rows and columns with said columns being aligned with the direction of movement of said recording web and wherein at least one imprinting means corresponding to each distinct character is present in each column in at least one of the rows transected thereby, said character-imprinting means each being comprised of a stationary character-defining element having a configuration conforming to the corresponding character and having an individually energizable actuator therefor, wherein a plurality of said character-defining elements are formed as integral portions of a single member which carries all character-defining elements for an entire row thereof and is removable from said supporting means independently of other rows of character-defining elements.

Claim 8

In an apparatus for printing from coded signals which identify distinct characters to be printed in a plurality of lines of printing on a moving recording web, an array of character-imprinting means and supporting means therefor, said character-imprinting means and supporting means therefor, said character-imprinting means being arranged in rows and columns with said columns being aligned with the direction of movement of said recording web and wherein at least one imprinting means corresponding to each distinct character is present in each column in at least one of the rows transected thereby, said character-imprinting means each being comprised of a stationary character-defining element having a configuration conforming to the corresponding character and having an individually energizable actuator therefor, wherein a plurality of said character-defining elements are formed as integral portions of a single member which carries all character-defining elements for an entire row thereof and is removable from said supporting means independently of other rows of character-defining elements.

Claim 9

Apparatus for printing from coded signals which identify distinct characters to be printed in a plurality of lines of printing on a moving recording web comprising an array of character-imprinting means arranged in rows and columns with said columns being aligned with the direction of movement of said recording web and wherein at least one imprinting means corresponding to each distinct character is present in each column in at least one of the rows transected thereby, said character-imprinting means each being comprised of a stationary character-defining element having a configuration conforming to the corresponding character and an individually energizable actuator therefor, wherein a plurality of said actuator elements are secured to a single support member whereby said plurality of actuator elements may be installed and removed as a unit.

Claim 10

Apparatus for printing from coded signals which identify distinct characters to be printed in a plurality of lines of printing on a moving recording web comprising an array of character-imprinting means arranged in rows and columns with said columns being aligned with the direction of movement of said recording web and wherein at least one imprinting means corresponding to each distinct character is present in each column in at least one of the rows transected thereby, said character-imprinting means each being comprised of a stationary character-defining element having a configuration conforming to the corresponding character and an individually energizable actuator therefor, wherein a plurality of said actuator elements are secured to a single support member whereby said plurality of actuator elements may be installed and removed as a unit.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said plurality of actuator elements which are secured to a single support member comprise all the actuators for a row of said character-defining elements.

Claim 12

Apparatus for printing from coded signals which identify distinct characters to be printed in a plurality of lines of printing on a moving recording web comprising an array of character-imprinting means arranged in rows and columns with said columns being aligned with the direction of movement of said recording web and wherein at least onE imprinting means corresponding to each distinct character is present in each column in at least one of the rows transected thereby, said character-imprinting means each being comprised of a stationary character-defining element having a configuration conforming to the corresponding character and an individually energizable actuator element therefor, said actuator elements being of the electrically energized form, said apparatus further having a unitized connector board member disposable against a plurality of said actuator elements and carrying at least one individual electrical contact for coupling to each of said plurality of actuator elements whereby electrical connection to all of said plurality said plurality of actuators maybe made simultaneously by disposition of said board against said actuators.

Claim 13

Apparatus for printing from coded signals which identify distinct characters to be printed in a plurality of lines of printing on a moving recording web comprising an array of character-imprinting means arranged in rows and columns with said columns being aligned with the direction of movement of said recording web and wherein at least onE imprinting means corresponding to each distinct character is present in each column in at least one of the rows transected thereby, said character-imprinting means each being comprised of a stationary character-defining element having a configuration conforming to the corresponding character and an individually energizable actuator element therefor, said actuator elements being of the electrically energized form, said apparatus further having a unitized connector board member disposable against a plurality of said actuator elements and carrying at least one individual electrical contact for coupling to each of said plurality of actuator elements whereby electrical connection to all of said plurality said plurality of actuators maybe made simultaneously by disposition of said board against said actuators.

Claim 14

Apparatus for printing from coded signals which are indicative of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed comprising: a type matrix having a flat surface with a plurality of stationary character-defining elements thereon, said character-defining elements being arranged on said surface in a plurality of rows and columns, drive means for traveling a recording medium along said surface, said recording medium being parallel to said surface and moving in a direction normal to said rows of character-defining elements thereof, a flat support means carrying a plurality of electrically energizable actuator elements each being associated with a specific one of said character-defining elements to transfer the character defined thereby to said recording medium, a connector board disposable at said support means in parallel relationship thereto and carrying a plurality of electrical connector means each being positioned to connect with a separate one of said actuator elements when said board is disposed at said support means, and control circuitry receiving and temporarily storing said coded signals for a plurality of lines of printing, said control means being coupled to said connector board for energizing appropriate ones of said actuator elements therethrough as said recording medium travels past said matrix.

Claim 15

Apparatus for printing from coded signals which are indicative of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed comprising: a type matrix having a flat surface with a plurality of stationary character-defining elements thereon, said character-defining elements being arranged on said surface in a plurality of rows and columns, drive means for traveling a recording medium along said surface, said recording medium being parallel to said surface and moving in a direction normal to said rows of character-defining elements thereof, a flat support means carrying a plurality of electrically energizable actuator elements each being associated with a specific one of said character-defining elements to transfer the character defined thereby to said recording medium, a connector board disposable at said support means in parallel relationship thereto and carrying a plurality of electrical connector means each being positioned to connect with a separate one of said actuator elements when said board is disposed at said support means, and control circuitry receiving and temporarily storing said coded signals for a plurality of lines of printing, said control means being coupled to said connector board for energizing appropriate ones of said actuator elements therethrough as said recording medium travels past said matrix.

Claim 16

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each of said distinct characters being in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character defining element, wherein said electrical drive means of said actuators are comprised of solenoid coils having movable cores of ferromagnetic material coupled to said hammers and wherein a plurality of said solenoid coils are joined together in a unitized group which may be removed from said mechanism independently of others of said solenoids.

Claim 17

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each of said distinct characters being in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character defining element, wherein said electrical drive means of said actuators are comprised of solenoid coils having movable cores of ferromagnetic material coupled to said hammers and wherein a plurality of said solenoid coils are joined together in a unitized group which may be removed from said mechanism independently of others of said solenoids.

Claim 18

Printout mechanism as defined in claim 11 wherein said plurality of solenoid coils joined together in a unitized group comprises all solenoid coils associated with a row of said character-defining elements, said solenoid coils being disposed within a housing having transverse guide means therein for receiving said uNitized row of solenoid coils whereby said unitized row thereof may be removed by being withdrawn sidewardly from said housing without removing other rows of solenoid coils.

Claim 19

Printout mechanism as defined in claim 12 wherein said unitized row of solenoid coils is carried in a casing having a plurality of contacts therealong each electrically connected with a separate one of the solenoid coils of said row, said mechanism further comprising a contact board disposed adjacent said unitized row of solenoid coils and having a plurality of spring contacts positioned therealong to connect with individual ones of said solenoid coil contacts, and mechanism for selectively impressing said contact board against said unitized row of solenoid coils and for retracting said contact board therefrom to facilitate said removal of said unitized row of solenoid coils.

Claim 20

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each of said distinct characters beings in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character defining element, wherein said electrical drive means for said hammers are of greater extent in a direction parallel to said rows than said hammers and wherein a sequence of successive ones of said electrical drive means along said row of actuators are spaced from the associated hammer by progressively greater amounts and wherein said sequence is repeated along said row.

Claim 21

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each of said distinct characters beings in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character defining element, wherein said electrical drive means for said hammers are of greater extent in a direction parallel to said rows than said hammers and wherein a sequence of successive ones of said electrical drive means along said row of actuators are spaced from the associated hammer by progressively greater amounts and wherein said sequence is repeated along said row.

Claim 22

Printout mechanism as defined in claim 14 wherein said drive means are comprised of solenoid coils driving a movable armature and each of said hammers is coupled to the associated one of said drive means by a driver member extending therebetween wherein the driver members associated with those of the drive means which are separated from the associated hammer by an intervening one of the other drive means have an angled configuration and extend around said intervening drive means.

Claim 23

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each of said distinct characters being in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for imPressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character-defining element, wherein said electrical drive means of each of said actuators has a greater extent along said rows than the associated hammer and wherein said array of character-defining elements has a plurality of rows of like character-defining elements with each successive row thereof being offset from the adjacent rows in a direction transverse to the travel of said recording web and with the character-defining elements of each such row being spaced apart by a plurality of column spaces, said electrical drive means of said actuators for each distinct character being correspondingly arranged in a plurality of rows, whereby said electrical drive means of said actuators may be equidistantly spaced from said array of character-defining elements.

Claim 24

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each of said distinct characters being in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for imPressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character-defining element, wherein said electrical drive means of each of said actuators has a greater extent along said rows than the associated hammer and wherein said array of character-defining elements has a plurality of rows of like character-defining elements with each successive row thereof being offset from the adjacent rows in a direction transverse to the travel of said recording web and with the character-defining elements of each such row being spaced apart by a plurality of column spaces, said electrical drive means of said actuators for each distinct character being correspondingly arranged in a plurality of rows, whereby said electrical drive means of said actuators may be equidistantly spaced from said array of character-defining elements.

Claim 25

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with a plurality of elements corresponding to each distinct character in each column, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character-defining element, each of the plurality of similar character-defining elements in the same column having a separate one of said actuators associated therewith, and control means sequentially utilizing different ones of the plurality of similar character-defining elements in the same column to imprint successive ones of the same character in successive lines on said recording web whereby the printing speed of said printout mechanism is not limited by the operation time of a single actuator.

Claim 26

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with a plurality of elements corresponding to each distinct character in each column, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character-defining element, each of the plurality of similar character-defining elements in the same column having a separate one of said actuators associated therewith, and control means sequentially utilizing different ones of the plurality of similar character-defining elements in the same column to imprint successive ones of the same character in successive lines on said recording web whereby the printing speed of said printout mechanism is not limited by the operation time of a single actuator.

Claim 27

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each of said distinct characters being in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a movable hammer with a flat head formed of resilient material and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefore for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character-defining element.

Claim 28

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each of said distinct characters being in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a movable hammer with a flat head formed of resilient material and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefore for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character-defining element.

Claim 29

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each oF said distinct characters being in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character-defining element, wherein said flat-headed hammers have a rounded edge transverse to the direction of paper movement.

Claim 30

Printout mechanism operating from coded input signals which identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: a fixed array of stationary character-defining elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with at least one element defining each oF said distinct characters being in each of said columns in at least one of the rows transected thereby, each of said character-defining elements having a projecting portion shaped in conformity with the character defined thereby, drive means for traveling a recording web past said array of character-defining elements along a path at which said recording web is parallel to said array and moves in a direction parallel to the columns of character-defining elements, and a plurality of actuator elements disposed in a matching array of rows and columns on the opposite side of the path of travel of said recording web from said array of character-defining elements, each of said actuator elements having a flat-headed movable hammer and a separately energizable electrical drive means therefor for impressing said recording web against the projecting portion of the associated character-defining element, wherein said flat-headed hammers have a rounded edge transverse to the direction of paper movement.

Claim 31

A printout device for printing from coded signals that identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: an array of electrostatic imprinting means arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each such imprinting means having a character-defining portion shaped in conformity with one of said distinct characters and wherein each column includes at least one imprinting means corresponding to each of said distinct characters, means for moving a recording web along said array of electrostatic imprinting means, in a direction parallel to said columns thereof, said recording web being capable of retaining an electrical charge for at least a limited period, an array of actuators each being connected to a separate one of said imprinting means for transmitting a pulsed electrical voltage thereto to cause said imprinting means to impart a charge to said recording web wherein the charged area of said web has a configuration conforming to the character defined by said means, said actuators of any row being energizable independently of the timing of energization of the actuators of other rows, a data storage receiving and temporarily storing said coded signals, and control means for repetitively examining said data storage to detect coincidences between the momentary position of an area of said recording web and an imprinting means corresponding to a character which is to be imprinted thereat, said control means energizing the corresponding ones of said actuators upon detection of said coincidences, and wherein said control means cyclically repeats said examination of said data storage and energization of appropriate ones of said actuators more than once while a given line of printing on said recording web moves from a given row of said imprinting means to the adjacent row thereof.

Claim 32

A printout device for printing from coded signals that identify specific ones of a plurality of distinct characters to be printed, comprising: an array of electrostatic imprinting means arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each such imprinting means having a character-defining portion shaped in conformity with one of said distinct characters and wherein each column includes at least one imprinting means corresponding to each of said distinct characters, means for moving a recording web along said array of electrostatic imprinting means, in a direction parallel to said columns thereof, said recording web being capable of retaining an electrical charge for at least a limited period, an array of actuators each being connected to a separate one of said imprinting means for transmitting a pulsed electrical voltage thereto to cause said imprinting means to impart a charge to said recording web wherein the charged area of said web has a configuration conforming to the character defined by said means, said actuators of any row being energizable independently of the timing of energization of the actuators of other rows, a data storage receiving and temporarily storing said coded signals, and control means for repetitively examining said data storage to detect coincidences between the momentary position of an area of said recording web and an imprinting means corresponding to a character which is to be imprinted thereat, said control means energizing the corresponding ones of said actuators upon detection of said coincidences, and wherein said control means cyclically repeats said examination of said data storage and energization of appropriate ones of said actuators more than once while a given line of printing on said recording web moves from a given row of said imprinting means to the adjacent row thereof.

Claim 33

A printout device as defined in claim 19 wherein said character-defining elements of said imprinting means are fixed with respect to each other and situated at a flat planar surface along which said recording web travels.

Claim 34

A printout device as defined in claim 21 further comprising a conductive backing electrode spaced from said character-defining elements of said imprinting means to define a passage for said recording web.

Claim 35

A printout device as defined in claim 22 wherein said backing electrode has a plurality of apertures therethrough, and further comprising vacuum means coupled to said apertures for holding said recording web thereagainst.

Claim 36

A printout device as defined in claim 19 wherein said array of imprinting means are at least partially imbedded in an insulative matrix member whereby said imprinting means may be removed and replaced as a unit.

Claim 37

A printout device as defined in claim 24 wherein said imprinting means extend at least to the surface of said matrix member opposite from said character-defining elements and further comprising a unitized connector board fittable against said surface and removable tHerefrom and carrying an array of electrical connectors each positioned to connect with a separate one of said imprinting means when said board is implaced against said matrix member.