US3754631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Positioning typewriter
Assignee: Wang Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-01
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1991-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A writer selectively operable in an alpha-numeric symbol printing mode and a positioning mode. The writer includes a horizontally movable type head having a plurality of corresponding alpha-numeric printing symbols, operable in response to printing signals to print the symbols and horizontally movable in response to horizontal spacing function signals; and a platen rotatable in response to vertical spacing function signals. Type head drive means are provided for incrementally horizontally moving the type head in fine increments, the alpha-numeric spacing increments being an integral multiple thereof, and platen drive means are provided for incrementally rotating the platen in fine increments. In general, this is done by control means for operating the type head comprising horizontal function signal generating means for incrementally horizontally moving the type head in fine increments, and platen drive means comprising vertical function signal generating means for incrementally rotating the platen in fine increments, the function keys providing function signals being connected to the function signal generating means for generating a plurality of fine increment signals equal to an alpha-numeric increment.
Inventors
- 👤 A Wang
- 👤 Yao Chu Ge
- 👤 E Wu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:38
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/30; B41J19/00; B41J19/76; B41J19/78; B41J19/96
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
335 words
A writer selectively operable to print symbols successively line-by-line in horizontal lines in an alpha-numeric symbol printing mode and a positioning mode, comprising a keyboard with a plurality of symbol printing keys providing printing signals and electronic horizontal spacing function signals representing alpha-numeric spacing increments and a plurality of function keys providing electronic horizontal and vertical function signals representing alpha-numeric spacing increments, a horizontally movable type head having a plurality of corresponding alpha-numeric printing symbols a rotatable platen rotatable in response to vertical function signals, bi-directional type head drive means for incrementally horizontally moving said type head in horizontal fine increments in both forward and back spacing, each said alphanumeric horizontal spacing increment being an integral multiple of a horizontal fine increment, platen drive means for incrementally rotating said platen in alpha-numeric vertical increments, and control means for operating said type head and platen drive means having horizontal function electronic signal generating means connected to said type head drive means for incrementally horizontally moving said type head in said horizontal fine increments, said horizontal function electronic signal generating means including means responsive to a first signal for generating a horizontal fine increment signal to operate said type head drive means to move said type head a single horizontal fine spacing increment, and responsive in said alpha-numeric symbol printing mode to each said key providing an electronic horizontal function signal representing an alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment for generating a series of fine increment signals totaling an alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment to operate said type head drive means to move said type head said alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment responsive to a said key, and vertical function electronic signal generating means connected to said platen drive means for rotating said platen in said alpha-numeric vertical spacing increments, said vertical function electronic signal generating means including means responsive to each said key providing an electronic vertical function signal representing an alphanumeric vertical spacing increment for operating said platen drive means to move said platen said alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
335 words
A writer selectively operable to print symbols successively line-by-line in horizontal lines in an alpha-numeric symbol printing mode and a positioning mode, comprising a keyboard with a plurality of symbol printing keys providing printing signals and electronic horizontal spacing function signals representing alpha-numeric spacing increments and a plurality of function keys providing electronic horizontal and vertical function signals representing alpha-numeric spacing increments, a horizontally movable type head having a plurality of corresponding alpha-numeric printing symbols a rotatable platen rotatable in response to vertical function signals, bi-directional type head drive means for incrementally horizontally moving said type head in horizontal fine increments in both forward and back spacing, each said alphanumeric horizontal spacing increment being an integral multiple of a horizontal fine increment, platen drive means for incrementally rotating said platen in alpha-numeric vertical increments, and control means for operating said type head and platen drive means having horizontal function electronic signal generating means connected to said type head drive means for incrementally horizontally moving said type head in said horizontal fine increments, said horizontal function electronic signal generating means including means responsive to a first signal for generating a horizontal fine increment signal to operate said type head drive means to move said type head a single horizontal fine spacing increment, and responsive in said alpha-numeric symbol printing mode to each said key providing an electronic horizontal function signal representing an alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment for generating a series of fine increment signals totaling an alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment to operate said type head drive means to move said type head said alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment responsive to a said key, and vertical function electronic signal generating means connected to said platen drive means for rotating said platen in said alpha-numeric vertical spacing increments, said vertical function electronic signal generating means including means responsive to each said key providing an electronic vertical function signal representing an alphanumeric vertical spacing increment for operating said platen drive means to move said platen said alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
355 words
A writer selectively operable in an alpha-numeric symbol printing mode and a positioning mode including a keyboard with a plurality of symbol printing keys providing printing signals and horizontal spacing function signals representing alpha-numeric spacing increments and a plurality of function keys providing horizontal and vertical function signals representing alpha-numeric spacing increments, a horizontally movable type head having a plurality of corresponding alpha-numeric printing symbols, a rotatable platen rotatable in response to vertical function signals, bi-directional type head drive means for incrementally horizontally moving said type head in horizontal fine increments, each said alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment being an integral multiple of a horizontal fine increment, bI-directional platen drive means for incrementally rotating said platen in vertical fine increments, each said alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment being an integral multiple of a vertical fine increment, and control means for operating said type head and platen drive means comprising horizontal function signal generating means connected to said type head drive means for moving said type head in said horizontal fine increments, said horizontal function signal generating means including means responsive to a first signal for generating a horizontal fine increment signal to operate said type head drive means to move said type head a single horizontal fine spacing increment and responsive to each said key providing a horizontal function signal representing an alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment for generating a plurality of fine increment signals totaling an alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment to operate said type head drive means to move said type head said alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment, vertical function signal generating means connected to said platen drive means for rotating said platen in said vertical fine increments, said vertical function signal generating means including means responsive to a second signal for generating a vertical fine incremental signal to operate said platen drive means to rotate said platen a vertical fine increment and responsive to each said key providing a vertical function signal representing an alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment for generating a plurality of fine increment signals totaling an alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment to operate said platen drive means to move said platen said alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
355 words
A writer selectively operable in an alpha-numeric symbol printing mode and a positioning mode including a keyboard with a plurality of symbol printing keys providing printing signals and horizontal spacing function signals representing alpha-numeric spacing increments and a plurality of function keys providing horizontal and vertical function signals representing alpha-numeric spacing increments, a horizontally movable type head having a plurality of corresponding alpha-numeric printing symbols, a rotatable platen rotatable in response to vertical function signals, bi-directional type head drive means for incrementally horizontally moving said type head in horizontal fine increments, each said alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment being an integral multiple of a horizontal fine increment, bI-directional platen drive means for incrementally rotating said platen in vertical fine increments, each said alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment being an integral multiple of a vertical fine increment, and control means for operating said type head and platen drive means comprising horizontal function signal generating means connected to said type head drive means for moving said type head in said horizontal fine increments, said horizontal function signal generating means including means responsive to a first signal for generating a horizontal fine increment signal to operate said type head drive means to move said type head a single horizontal fine spacing increment and responsive to each said key providing a horizontal function signal representing an alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment for generating a plurality of fine increment signals totaling an alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment to operate said type head drive means to move said type head said alpha-numeric horizontal spacing increment, vertical function signal generating means connected to said platen drive means for rotating said platen in said vertical fine increments, said vertical function signal generating means including means responsive to a second signal for generating a vertical fine incremental signal to operate said platen drive means to rotate said platen a vertical fine increment and responsive to each said key providing a vertical function signal representing an alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment for generating a plurality of fine increment signals totaling an alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment to operate said platen drive means to move said platen said alpha-numeric vertical spacing increment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A writer as claimed in claim 2 wherein said integral multiple of a horizontal fine increment is at least five.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A writer as claimed in claim 2 wherein said keys provide electrical horizontal and vertical alpha-numeric spacing function signals, each said type head and platen drive means includes an incremental electrical stepping motor, and said control means provides digital electrical control signals for operating said stepping motors responsive to said function signals from said keys.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |