High speed impactless data printer

Claim 2

An impactless graphic data output recorder comprising the combination of: a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current; a replaceable cassette, including a supply of electrically conductive paper and a second, common, depletable electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electric current, said depletable electrode disposed adjacent said plurality of first electrodes with said paper disposed between said first and said second electrodes, for furnishing ions when coupled to the source of electric current, such that the flow of ions from said common electrode selectively produces visible marks on said paper; and paper transport means adapted to cooperate with said cassette, for bringing paper from said cassette between said electrodes.

Claim 3

Apparatus as in claim 1 further including resistance detecting means, and means for alternatively coupling selected ones of said first electrodes to said resistance detecting means for determining the resistance of the electrical path between said common electrode and said selected ones of said first electrodes, whereby the presence and absence of paper can be signalled.

Claim 4

Apparatus as in claim 1 further including resistance detecting means and means for alternatively connecting selected ones of said first electrodes to said resistance detecting means to determine the conductivity of the paper and its suitability for having visible marks produced thereon.

Claim 5

The impactless graphic data output recorder of claim 1, wherein said paper transport means incrementally advances said paper between said electrodes in a predetermined, cyclical program; and further includes printing control means operatively cooperating with source of electric current and said paper transport means for selectively applying currents between said first and second electrodes during specified ones of the intervals between Sucessive incremental advances.

Claim 6

In combination with an impactless graphic data output recorder having a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current and a paper supply means for transporting electrically conductive paper into contact with the plurality of electrodes, a replaceable supply cassette comprising: a cassette body adapted to be removably interfitted in the data recorder adapted to store a supply of paper of preselected electrical conductivity, for cooperating with the paper supply means, said paper being adapted to pass adjacent the plurality of first electrodes for completing an electrical circuit between the first electrode and a depletable common electrode, whereby electrical currents between the electrodes causes the common electrode to deplate onto the surface of said paper, producing visible marks thereon.

Claim 7

In combination with an impactless graphic data output recorder having a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current and a paper supply means for transporting electrically conductive paper into contact with the plurality of electrodes, a replaceable supply cassette comprising: a cassette body adapted to be removably interfitted in the data recorder adapted to store a supply of paper of preselected electrical conductivity, for cooperating with the paper supply means, said paper being adapted to pass adjacent the plurality of first electrodes for completing an electrical circuit between the first electrode and a depletable common electrode, whereby electrical currents between the electrodes causes the common electrode to deplate onto the surface of said paper, producing visible marks thereon.

Claim 8

The cassette of claim 5 above, further including a replaceable, depletable, common electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electric current and to be positioned adjacent the plurality of first electrodes.

Claim 9

The cassette of claim 6, above, further including a supply of paper of preselected electrical conductivity.

Claim 10

The cassette of claim 6, above, further including aligning means for cooperating with complementary members of the recorder, to maintain said common electrode in operating proximity to the first electrodes.

Claim 11

The combination with an impactless graphic output recorder having a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current and a second, common, depletable electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electric current, for producing visible marks on conductive paper, of: resistance detecting and signalling means coupled to the electrodes for determining the conductivity of the paper and for providing first signals to represent the unsuitability of the paper for having visible marks produced thereon; transport means coupled to said resistance detecting and signalling means, adapted to bring conductive paper from a supply source to operating proximity between the first and second electrodes, said paper transport means being energized in response to said first signals; and timing means coupled to said paper transport means and said resistance detecting and signalling means for deenergizing said paper transport means and providing an alarm at a predetermined time after said first signal is provided, whereby additional paper is brought between the electrodes until said first signals cease, corresponding to the presence between the electrodes of paper suitable for having visible marks produced thereon.

Claim 12

The combination with an impactless graphic output recorder having a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current and a second, common, depletable electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electric current, for producing visible marks on conductive paper, of: resistance detecting and signalling means coupled to the electrodes for determining the conductivity of the paper and for providing first signals to represent the unsuitability of the paper for having visible marks produced thereon; transport means coupled to said resistance detecting and signalling means, adapted to bring conductive paper from a supply source to operating proximity between the first and second electrodes, said paper transport means being energized in response to said first signals; and timing means coupled to said paper transport means and said resistance detecting and signalling means for deenergizing said paper transport means and providing an alarm at a predetermined time after said first signal is provided, whereby additional paper is brought between the electrodes until said first signals cease, corresponding to the presence between the electrodes of paper suitable for having visible marks produced thereon.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 9, above, said resistance detecting and signalling means further providing a second signal representing the absence of conductive paper, said paper transport means being deenergized in response to said second signal.

Claim 14

An impactless graphic data output recorder comprising the combination of: a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current; a second, common, depletable electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electric current, said depletable electrode disposed adjacent said plurality of first electrodes and adapted to receive electrically conductive paper between said first and said second electrodes for furnishing ions when coupled to the source of electrical energy such that the flow of ions from said common electrode selectively produces visible marks on the paper; paper transport means for bringing paper between electrodes; resistance detecting and signalling means, for determining the resistance of the electrical path between said common electrode and said selected ones of first electrodes, for alternatively signalling the presence of paper, the conductivity of the paper and its unsuitability for having visible marks produced thereon and the absence of paper; and printing control means coupled to saiD resistance detecting and signalling means and to said paper transport means, for selectively energizing said paper transport means and selectively inhibiting the coupling of said electrodes to the source of electric current in response to signals from said resistance detecting and signalling means, said printing control means further including timing means responsive to the energization of said paper transport means, for deenergizing said paper transport means and providing an alarm signal after a predetermined time interval, whereby printing is enabled only in the presence of paper of suitable conductivity.

Claim 15

An impactless graphic data output recorder comprising the combination of: a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current; a second, common, depletable electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electric current, said depletable electrode disposed adjacent said plurality of first electrodes and adapted to receive electrically conductive paper between said first and said second electrodes for furnishing ions when coupled to the source of electrical energy such that the flow of ions from said common electrode selectively produces visible marks on the paper; paper transport means for bringing paper between electrodes; resistance detecting and signalling means, for determining the resistance of the electrical path between said common electrode and said selected ones of first electrodes, for alternatively signalling the presence of paper, the conductivity of the paper and its unsuitability for having visible marks produced thereon and the absence of paper; and printing control means coupled to saiD resistance detecting and signalling means and to said paper transport means, for selectively energizing said paper transport means and selectively inhibiting the coupling of said electrodes to the source of electric current in response to signals from said resistance detecting and signalling means, said printing control means further including timing means responsive to the energization of said paper transport means, for deenergizing said paper transport means and providing an alarm signal after a predetermined time interval, whereby printing is enabled only in the presence of paper of suitable conductivity.

Claim 16

The recorder of claim 11 above, wherein said paper transport means are energized to transport paper by signals representing the unsuitability of the paper and wherein said printing control means further include timing means responsive to the energization of said paper transport means, for deenergizing said paper transport means and providing an alarm signal after a predetermined time interval.

Claim 17

The graphic data output recorder of claim 11 above, wherein said paper transport means are coupled to said resistance dectecting and signalling means for inhibiting said paper transport means in response to signals representing an absence of paper.

Claim 18

For use in an impactless graphic data recorder, a printing head, adapted to be connected to a power supply comprising: a printed circuit board having a plurality of independent conductive lines on one surface thereof, each adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical energy; a head cover member, adapted to be secured to said printed circuit board; and a plurality of substantially U-shaped electrode members, each having opposed substantially arcuate contact surfaces, held by said head cover member with one of said contact surfaces in electrical communication with a conductive line and with the other of said contact surfaces adapted to be in electrical communication with a source of electrical energy through conductive paper and a depletable common electrode, whereby the area of contact between said other contact surface and the paper determines the size of a visible mark produced by the depleting the common electrode on the passage of current therethrough.

Claim 19

For use in an impactless graphic data recorder, a printing head, adapted to be connected to a power supply comprising: a printed circuit board having a plurality of independent conductive lines on one surface thereof, each adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical energy; a head cover member, adapted to be secured to said printed circuit board; and a plurality of substantially U-shaped electrode members, each having opposed substantially arcuate contact surfaces, held by said head cover member with one of said contact surfaces in electrical communication with a conductive line and with the other of said contact surfaces adapted to be in electrical communication with a source of electrical energy through conductive paper and a depletable common electrode, whereby the area of contact between said other contact surface and the paper determines the size of a visible mark produced by the depleting the common electrode on the passage of current therethrough.

Claim 20

The printing head of claim 14, wherein said head cover member includes a plurality of openings, each aligned with a different one of said conductive lines, and said other of said electrode contact surface protrudes through each of the openings of said plurality whereby said head cover member maintains said electrode members in proper registration.

Claim 21

In combination with an impactless graphic data output recorder having a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current and a paper supply means for transporting premoistened electrically conductive paper into contact with the plurality of electrodes, a replaceable paper supply cassette comprising: a substantially moisture proof cassette body adapted to be removably interfitted in the data recorder and a supply of premoistened paper of preselected electrical conductivity, for cooperating with the paper supply means, said paper being adapted to pass between the plurality of first electrodes and a common electrode for completing an electrical circuit therebetween, whereby said paper can be maintained in the moist condition for substantial periods of time prior to use with a recorder.

Claim 22

In combination with an impactless graphic data output recorder having a plurality of first electrodes adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current and a paper supply means for transporting premoistened electrically conductive paper into contact with the plurality of electrodes, a replaceable paper supply cassette comprising: a substantially moisture proof cassette body adapted to be removably interfitted in the data recorder and a supply of premoistened paper of preselected electrical conductivity, for cooperating with the paper supply means, said paper being adapted to pass between the plurality of first electrodes and a common electrode for completing an electrical circuit therebetween, whereby said paper can be maintained in the moist condition for substantial periods of time prior to use with a recorder.

Claim 23

The cassette of claim 16, further including a common, depletable electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electrical current for completing an electrical path through the paper for producing marks thereon.

Claim 24

The cassette of claim 17, further including aligning means for cooperating with complementary members of the recorder to maintain said common electrode in operating proximity to the first electrodes.

Claim 25

An impactless, graphic, alpha numeric data output recorder comprising the combination of: a plurality of first electrodeS adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current; a second, common, depletable electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electric current, said depletable electrode disposed adjacent said plurality of first electrodes and adapted to receive electrically conductive paper between said first and said second electrodes for furnishing ions when coupled to the source of electrical energy such that the flow of ions from said common electrode selectively produces visible marks on the paper; paper transport means for incrementally advancing paper between said electrodes in a predetermined, cyclical program; and printing control means operatively cooperating with the power supply and said paper transport means for selectively applying currents between said first and second electrodes to create a different portion of a desired alpha numeric character during specified ones of the intervals between successive incremental advances, whereby complete alpha numeric characters are created after a predetermined plurality of incremental advances.

Claim 26

An impactless, graphic, alpha numeric data output recorder comprising the combination of: a plurality of first electrodeS adapted to be selectively coupled to a source of electric current; a second, common, depletable electrode adapted to be coupled to the source of electric current, said depletable electrode disposed adjacent said plurality of first electrodes and adapted to receive electrically conductive paper between said first and said second electrodes for furnishing ions when coupled to the source of electrical energy such that the flow of ions from said common electrode selectively produces visible marks on the paper; paper transport means for incrementally advancing paper between said electrodes in a predetermined, cyclical program; and printing control means operatively cooperating with the power supply and said paper transport means for selectively applying currents between said first and second electrodes to create a different portion of a desired alpha numeric character during specified ones of the intervals between successive incremental advances, whereby complete alpha numeric characters are created after a predetermined plurality of incremental advances.