US3761880A — Variable speed printer

Claim 1

Independent Claim 160 words

In a printing device wherein serially received bytes represent graphics to be printed by a print head which is movable opposite a record medium, apparatus for controlling the rate at which the graphics are printed by the print head comprising a multistage buffer storage means, said storage means having an input means for sequentially receiving and storing the bytes in different stages and output means for sequentially transmitting the bytes stored in the different stages in the order in which the bytes were received, drive means connected to said storage means for moving said print head opposite the record medium at a rate of speed at least partially determined by the number of bytes stored in said storage means, and activating means for activating said print head to print the graphic represented by the byte being transmitted when the print head is moving past any one of a plurality of different positions along a transverse line of the record medium.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 160 words

In a printing device wherein serially received bytes represent graphics to be printed by a print head which is movable opposite a record medium, apparatus for controlling the rate at which the graphics are printed by the print head comprising a multistage buffer storage means, said storage means having an input means for sequentially receiving and storing the bytes in different stages and output means for sequentially transmitting the bytes stored in the different stages in the order in which the bytes were received, drive means connected to said storage means for moving said print head opposite the record medium at a rate of speed at least partially determined by the number of bytes stored in said storage means, and activating means for activating said print head to print the graphic represented by the byte being transmitted when the print head is moving past any one of a plurality of different positions along a transverse line of the record medium.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 107 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive means includes first indicating means for giving an indication when a byte is stored in a first particular stage of said buffer storage means, second indicating means for giving an indication when a byte is stored in a second particular stage of said buffer storage means, stepping motor means, means connecting said stepping motor means to said print head for moving said print head in synchronism with the stepping of said stepping motor means, and impulse generating means for transmitting stepping impulses to said stepping motor means at a rate which is a function of the indications being given.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said impulse generating means includes first means for transmitting only one stepping impulse when an indication is only given by said first indicating means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 61 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said impulse generating means further includes second means for transmitting a stepping impulse a given time after said one stepping impulse regardless of whether or not the graphic associated with the indication given by said first indicating means has been printed the first time indications are given by both said first and second indicating means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said impulse generating means further includes third means operative after the operation of said first and second means for transmitting a stepping impulse each time said second indicating means gives an indication and a graphic is printed.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for governing the rate at which said third means transmits stepping impulses to below a given upper limit.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for governing the rate of speed at which said print head is moved to below a given upper limit irrespective of the number of bytes stored in said storage means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 128 words

In a printing device wherein graphics are printed by a print head which is rectilinearly movable opposite a record medium, apparatus for controlling the return of the print head from one position opposite the record medium to a home position opposite the record medium comprising a stepping motor means which steps in response to impulses, means connecting said stepping motor means to said print head for moving said print head toward the home position in synchronism with the stepping of said stepping motor means, impulse generating means for generating impulses at a rate which monotonically increases to a given upper limit, means for activating said impulse generating means, and means for sensing the arrival of the print head at the home position to deactivate said impulse generating means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 128 words

In a printing device wherein graphics are printed by a print head which is rectilinearly movable opposite a record medium, apparatus for controlling the return of the print head from one position opposite the record medium to a home position opposite the record medium comprising a stepping motor means which steps in response to impulses, means connecting said stepping motor means to said print head for moving said print head toward the home position in synchronism with the stepping of said stepping motor means, impulse generating means for generating impulses at a rate which monotonically increases to a given upper limit, means for activating said impulse generating means, and means for sensing the arrival of the print head at the home position to deactivate said impulse generating means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 79 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said impulse generator comprises a voltage controlled pulse generator which generates impulses whose frequency is related to the amplitude of a control voltage, a switchable ramp voltage generator means for generating a ramp voltage which monotonically increases in amplituDe from a first value to a second value, and means for switching on and off said ramp voltage generator means in response to the operation of said activating means and said sensing means, respectively.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 56 words

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said voltage controlled pulse generator comprises a unijunction transistor, means for applying operating voltages to said unijunction transistor, a resistor-capacitor series circuit, the junction of said resistor and capacitor being connected to the emitter electrode of said unijunction transistor, and means for applying the ramp voltage across said series circuit.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-09-24	1977-03-26	1977-09-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-09-24	1981-03-26	1981-09-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-09-24	1985-03-26	1985-09-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Variable speed printer

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