Optical recorder

Claim 2

A character generating system comprising: a rotatable character member containing a plurality of character fonts each of said fonts being divided into a plurality of groups of characters and the groups of characters of one font being alternately positioned with groups of characters of at least one other font along an axis of said character mask; a plurality of flash lamps equal in quantity to the number of groups in any one font, and means for varying the relative position of said flash lamps and said character fonts whereby only the characters of one group are illuminated.

Claim 3

Structure as specified in claim 1 wherein, said means for varying the relative position of said flash lamps and said character fonts comprises means for shifting the position of said character member.

Claim 4

Structure as specified in claim 2 wherein, said means for shifting said character member effects shifting thereof along its longitudinal axis.

Claim 5

Structure as specified in claim 3 including, indicia associated with each character in such a manner as to uniquely define each character; means for moving said photoreceptive record medium in synchronism with said character member, and means for sensing saiD indicia in such a manner as to effect rectilinear placement of characters on said record medium.

Claim 6

Structure as specified in claim 1 wherein, said character member comprises a drum, said means for varying the relative position between said flash lamps and said character fonts comprises means for shifting said drum member in the direction of its longitudinal extent.

Claim 7

Recording apparatus comprising: a rotatable character mask having a plurality of character fonts each of said fonts being divided into a plurality of groups of characters and the groups of characters of one font being alternately positioned with groups of characters of at least one other font along an axis of said character mask; means for illuminating one of said fonts; means for collimating illumination passing through said one of said fonts and focusing magnified images of characters thereof on a photoreceptive recording medium; a photoreceptive recording medium for receiving said focused images; and means for varying the relative position of said illuminating means and said character mask whereby all groups of characters of one font can be illuminated independently of the groups of characters of said at least one other font

Claim 8

Recording apparatus comprising: a rotatable character mask having a plurality of character fonts each of said fonts being divided into a plurality of groups of characters and the groups of characters of one font being alternately positioned with groups of characters of at least one other font along an axis of said character mask; means for illuminating one of said fonts; means for collimating illumination passing through said one of said fonts and focusing magnified images of characters thereof on a photoreceptive recording medium; a photoreceptive recording medium for receiving said focused images; and means for varying the relative position of said illuminating means and said character mask whereby all groups of characters of one font can be illuminated independently of the groups of characters of said at least one other font

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein, said character mask comprises a drum member having said character fonts alternately spaced along the longitudinal axis thereof, and said means for varying the relative position between said illuminating means and said character mask comprises means for shifting said drum member in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein, said character mask comprises a drum member and wherein said illuminating means comprises one flash lamp for each group of each font.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein, said means for varying the relative position of said illuminating means and said character mask comprises means for shifting the position of said drum member.

Claim 12

Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein, said means for shifting said drum effects shifting thereof along its longitudinal axis.

Claim 13

Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 including, indicia associated with each character in such a manner as to uniquely define said each character; means for moving said photoreceptive record medium in synchronism with said character mask, and means for sensing said indicia in such a manner as to effect rectilinear placement of characters on said record medium.