Data recording and printing apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for processing data in conjunction with formation of characters by a printing device and performance of certain functions during operation of said printing device, said printing device including means for interconverting formation of said characters with corresponding coded character signals and means for performing said functions responsively to corresponding coded function signals, said apparatus comprising in combination: signal recording-and-playback means; a main memory means for storing a plurality of said coded character and function signals, a subsidiary memory means having an input connected to the output of said main memory means, gating means for selectively coupling to the input of said main memory means (a) the output of said subsidiary memory means (b) the output of said signal recording-and-playback means, and (c) the output from said interconverting means; and means for selectively coupling the output of said main memory means to the inputs of said signal recording-and-playback means or said interconverting means.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said main memory means is a main shift register.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said register is characterized in having storage capability of at least 200 coded signals each formed of at least eight bits.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said subsidiary memory means comprises a shift register.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said shift register has a storage capability of one coded signal formed of at least eight bits.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said subsidiary memory means comprises a pair of subsidiary shift registers, means for connecting the input of the first of said subsidiary shift registers to the output of said main shift register, means for Connecting the input of the second subsidiary register to the output of said first subsidiary register and means for connecting the output of said second subsidiary register to the input of said main shift register.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 2 further including means for operating said main register so that the coded signals stored in said main register are sequentially coupled to the input of said subsidiary memory means, and means for operating said gating means so that only selected codes appearing at the output of said subsidiary memory means are applied at the input of said main register for storage in the latter.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for selectively coupling is operable to couple to said signal recording means and to said interconverting means, only selected coded signals appearing at the output of said main memory means.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 6 including means for clocking the operation of said main register and said first and second subsidiary registers according to a plurality of different sequences.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for clocking comprises clock generator means for providing m groups of n clock pulses, m and n being integers, and means for selectively varying the value of m.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein n 3 and m is an integer selected from the integers 1, Y, Y + 1 and Y - 1 where Y is the number of storage cells in said main shift register.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for clocking comprises: individual clocking lines each connected for controlling the shifting of data in respective ones of said main register and first and second subsidiary registers. a source of clock pulses, means for separating a train of pulses from said source into at least three secondary pulse trains, each having pulses which are not coincident with the pulses of all of the other of said secondary pulse trains, and means for selectively connecting each of said clocking lines to accept a corresponding one of said secondary pulse trains.

Claim 14

Data recording and printing apparatus comprising: a printer having a plurality of informational character and function keys including a return key; means in said printer responsive to operation of any informational character key for printing the related character; means in said printer responsive to operation of any function key for performing the related function; code generating means for generating coded multi-bit signals representative of said informational characters and functions substantially concurrently with the printing and performance of said characters and functions respectively; recording apparatus interconnected with said printer, said recording apparatus having means for recording said coded signals on and reading said coded signals from a recording media; a buffer memory for controlling the transfer of said coded signals between said printer and said recording apparatus, said buffer memory comprising storage means for storing a plurality of said coded signals in the order in which said coded signals are received, first transfer means for transferring said coded signals alternatively in either direction between said printer and said storage means, and second transfer means for transferring said coded signals alternatively in either direction between said recording apparatus and said storage means, control means for operating said buffer memory in one of several modes including a first mode wherein said first transfer means is enabled by said control means so as to transfer coded signals from said printer to said storage means in the order that said coded signals are generated by said printer, a second mode wherein said second transfer means is enabled by said control means so as to transfer all of the coded signals stored in said storage means to said recording apparatUs in the order that said coded signals are transferred from said printer to said storage means, a third mode wherein said second transfer means is enabled by said control means so as to transfer coded signals from said recording apparatus to said storage means in the order that said coded signals were recorded in said recording apparatus, a fourth mode wherein said first transfer means is enabled by said control means so as to transfer all of the coded signals stored in said storage means to said printer in the order that said coded signals are transferred from said recording apparatus to said storage means, a fifth mode in which said buffer memory is inactive, and a sixth mode in which signals stored in said storage means are recirculated in said storage means; and means in said printer responsive to coded signals transferred thereto from said storage means for causing said printer to print the characters and perform the functions represented by said coded signals substantially concurrently as said coded signals are received by said printer from said storage means.

Claim 15

Data recording and printing apparatus comprising: a printer having a plurality of informational character and function keys including a return key; means in said printer responsive to operation of any informational character key for printing the related character; means in said printer responsive to operation of any function key for performing the related function; code generating means for generating coded multi-bit signals representative of said informational characters and functions substantially concurrently with the printing and performance of said characters and functions respectively; recording apparatus interconnected with said printer, said recording apparatus having means for recording said coded signals on and reading said coded signals from a recording media; a buffer memory for controlling the transfer of said coded signals between said printer and said recording apparatus, said buffer memory comprising storage means for storing a plurality of said coded signals in the order in which said coded signals are received, first transfer means for transferring said coded signals alternatively in either direction between said printer and said storage means, and second transfer means for transferring said coded signals alternatively in either direction between said recording apparatus and said storage means, control means for operating said buffer memory in one of several modes including a first mode wherein said first transfer means is enabled by said control means so as to transfer coded signals from said printer to said storage means in the order that said coded signals are generated by said printer, a second mode wherein said second transfer means is enabled by said control means so as to transfer all of the coded signals stored in said storage means to said recording apparatUs in the order that said coded signals are transferred from said printer to said storage means, a third mode wherein said second transfer means is enabled by said control means so as to transfer coded signals from said recording apparatus to said storage means in the order that said coded signals were recorded in said recording apparatus, a fourth mode wherein said first transfer means is enabled by said control means so as to transfer all of the coded signals stored in said storage means to said printer in the order that said coded signals are transferred from said recording apparatus to said storage means, a fifth mode in which said buffer memory is inactive, and a sixth mode in which signals stored in said storage means are recirculated in said storage means; and means in said printer responsive to coded signals transferred thereto from said storage means for causing said printer to print the characters and perform the functions represented by said coded signals substantially concurrently as said coded signals are received by said printer from said storage means.

Claim 16

Data recording and printing apparatus according to claim 13 further including means for disabling said printer during the time that said buffer memory is in either said second or third mode.

Claim 17

Data recording and printing apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said printer generates a Return Code in the form of coded multi-bit signals representative of a Return function upon each depression of said return key, and further wherein said control means is responsive to generation of a Return Code by said printer for shifting operation of said buffer memory from said first mode to said second mode, and responsive to transfer in order of both a Return Code and a Blank Code comprising a multibit signal indicative of the absence of any informational character or function for shifting operation of said buffer memory from said third mode to said fourth mode.

Claim 18

Data processing and printing apparatus comprising: a printer; a recording apparatus; and a buffer memory for controlling the transfer of data between said printer and said recording apparatus; said printer including printing means, a plurality of informational character and function keys, means responsive to depression of any of said informational character keys for operating said printing means to print selected characters in lines of characters, means responsive to depression of any of said function keys for performing the function corresponding to the key depressed; means responsive to depression of any of said keys for generating digital codes representative of the characters or functions corresponding to the keys depressed; and playback printer operating means responsive to previously generated digital codes for causing said printer to print the characters and to perform the functions represented by said previously generated digital codes; said recording apparatus having read-write means for reading and recording digital codes in a revisable record medium, means for holding a revisable record medium, drive means for providing relative movement between said read-write means and said record medium in order sequentially to read or record said digital codes in said medium, and selectively operable drive control means for initiating and terminating operation of said drive means; said buffer comprising a multi-cell storage register for storing a plurality of said digital codes in a sequence in the order in which codes are fed to said register, first code transferring means for transferring digital codes in either direction between said printer and said register, and second code transferring means for transferring codes in either direction between said recording apparatus and said register; and buffer memory control means for placing said register and said code transferring means in one of four modes including a first mode enabling transfer of codes generated in response to operation of said keys from said printer to said register, a second mode enabling transfer of codes stored in said register to a record media in said recording apparatus via said read-write means, a third mode enabling transfer of codes from a record media in said recording apparatus to said register via said read-write means, and a fourth mode enabling transfer of codes stored in said register to said printer via said playback printer operating means, said buffer memory control means having means responsive to predetermined digital codes received by said register from said printer for shifting said buffer memory from said first mode to said second mode and means responsive to predetermined digital codes received by said register from said recording apparatus for shifting said buffer memory from said third mode to said fourth mode.

Claim 19

Data processing and printing apparatus comprising: a printer; a recording apparatus; and a buffer memory for controlling the transfer of data between said printer and said recording apparatus; said printer including printing means, a plurality of informational character and function keys, means responsive to depression of any of said informational character keys for operating said printing means to print selected characters in lines of characters, means responsive to depression of any of said function keys for performing the function corresponding to the key depressed; means responsive to depression of any of said keys for generating digital codes representative of the characters or functions corresponding to the keys depressed; and playback printer operating means responsive to previously generated digital codes for causing said printer to print the characters and to perform the functions represented by said previously generated digital codes; said recording apparatus having read-write means for reading and recording digital codes in a revisable record medium, means for holding a revisable record medium, drive means for providing relative movement between said read-write means and said record medium in order sequentially to read or record said digital codes in said medium, and selectively operable drive control means for initiating and terminating operation of said drive means; said buffer comprising a multi-cell storage register for storing a plurality of said digital codes in a sequence in the order in which codes are fed to said register, first code transferring means for transferring digital codes in either direction between said printer and said register, and second code transferring means for transferring codes in either direction between said recording apparatus and said register; and buffer memory control means for placing said register and said code transferring means in one of four modes including a first mode enabling transfer of codes generated in response to operation of said keys from said printer to said register, a second mode enabling transfer of codes stored in said register to a record media in said recording apparatus via said read-write means, a third mode enabling transfer of codes from a record media in said recording apparatus to said register via said read-write means, and a fourth mode enabling transfer of codes stored in said register to said printer via said playback printer operating means, said buffer memory control means having means responsive to predetermined digital codes received by said register from said printer for shifting said buffer memory from said first mode to said second mode and means responsive to predetermined digital codes received by said register from said recording apparatus for shifting said buffer memory from said third mode to said fourth mode.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 16 further including means for automatically operating said drive control means so as to effect relative movement between said read-write means and said record media when said buffer memory is in either of said second or third modes and to terminate said relative movement when said buffer memory is in either of said first and fourth modes.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said buffer memory includes an auxiliary code storing means, means for transferring codes from said register to said auxiliary code storing means in the order in which they are stored in said register, means for transferring codes in said auxiliary storing means back to said register in the order in which said codes are received by said auxiliary storing means; and said buffer memory control means includes first selectively operable means for deleting a code stored in said buffer memory, and second selectively operable means for skipping a code stored in said buffer memory so that a character corresponding to the skipped code is not printed by said printer.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said printer includes a carrier moveable one character position each time said printing means is operated, said apparatus further including code delete means for deleting a selected code from said buffer memory, and means for preventing movement of said carrier when a selected code is being deleted from said buffer memory.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said printer includes a carrier moveable one character position each time said printing means is operated, and further including code skip means for selectively preventing transfer of codes to said printer from said buffer memory, and means for preventing movement of said carrier when said code skip means is operative.

Claim 24

Data recording and printing apparatus comprising: a printer having a plurality of informational character and function keys and including a Return key; means in said printer responsive to operation of any informational character key for printing the related character; means in said printer responsive to operation of any function key for performing the related function; means in said printer for generating digital coded signals representative of said informational characters and functions substantially concurrently with printing and performance of said characters and functions respectively; recording apparatus having means for recording said coded signals on and reading said coded signals from a recording media; a buffer memory for controlling transfer of said coded signals between said printer and said recording apparatus, said buffer comprsing a main shift register for storing a plurality of said signals in a sequence in the order in which said signals are received, means for transferring said signals in either direction between said printer and said main shift register, means for transferring said signals in either direction between said recording apparatus and said main shift register, a subsidiary storage register for storing at least one of said signals, means coupling the input of said subsidiary storage register to the outpUt of said main shift register, means coupling the output of said subsidiary storage register to the input of said main storage register, and means for circulating successive signals in said main register through said subsidiary register back to said main register.

Claim 25

Data recording and printing apparatus comprising: a printer having a plurality of informational character and function keys and including a Return key; means in said printer responsive to operation of any informational character key for printing the related character; means in said printer responsive to operation of any function key for performing the related function; means in said printer for generating digital coded signals representative of said informational characters and functions substantially concurrently with printing and performance of said characters and functions respectively; recording apparatus having means for recording said coded signals on and reading said coded signals from a recording media; a buffer memory for controlling transfer of said coded signals between said printer and said recording apparatus, said buffer comprsing a main shift register for storing a plurality of said signals in a sequence in the order in which said signals are received, means for transferring said signals in either direction between said printer and said main shift register, means for transferring said signals in either direction between said recording apparatus and said main shift register, a subsidiary storage register for storing at least one of said signals, means coupling the input of said subsidiary storage register to the outpUt of said main shift register, means coupling the output of said subsidiary storage register to the input of said main storage register, and means for circulating successive signals in said main register through said subsidiary register back to said main register.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 21 further including means for inserting additional coded signals one at a time into said main register between a selected pair of said coded signals.

Claim 27

Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said main register comprises n cells each adapted to store one of said coded signals, n being an integer, and further including means for moving said sequence of coded signals through said main and subsidiary registers and back into said main register in a time interval less than the minimum time in which two discrete coded signals can be generated by said printer and transferred to said main register, and means for gating a code into said main register from said printer after the previously stored signal has been moved in said main register through either 1 or n + 1 positions.

Claim 28

Apparatus according to claim 23 further including means for indexing codes stored in said main register one cell position for each digital code transferred to said buffer from said printer, and means for preventing transfer of codes from said buffer memory to said recording apparatus while codes are being transferred into said main register from said printer.

Claim 29

Apparatus according to claim 23 further including means for indexing codes stored in said main register one cell position for each digital code transferred to said buffer from said printer, and means for preventing transfer of codes into said main register from said printer while codes are being transferred from said buffer memory to said recording apparatus.

Claim 30

Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said printer includes a carrier capable of forward and backward movement, and, further including register operating means for shifting the coded signals in said storage register by single steps in said sequence so as to effect a net forward or backward displacement of said sequence in said register, and means for effecting movement of said carrier in single character position increments in a direction corresponding to said net forward or backward displacement of said sequence in said register.

Claim 31

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said register has a code input at one end and a code output at the other end and circulating means for transferring coded signals from said code output to said code input, and further wherein said register operating means is adapted to shift said coded signals via said circulating means through a number of code-storing positions selected so as to effect a net backward or forward displacement.

Claim 32

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said signals are multi-bit parallel codes and said register is a multi-cell static shift register adapted to store said multi-bit parallel codes, and further including code conversion means for converting said multi-bit parallel signals to multi-bit serial signals when operating in said second mode and for converting said multi-bit serial codes to said multi-bit parallel codes when operating in said third mode.

Claim 33

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said recording apparatus includes read-write means adapted to magnetically record and magnetically read data on a magnetic recording medium.

Claim 34

Word processing and printing apparatus comprising: a typewriter; a recording apparatus; and a buffer memory for controlling the transfer of data between said typewriter and said recording apparatus; said typewriter including printing means, a plurality of informational character and function keys including a Carrier Return key, means responsive to depression of any of said informational character keys for operating said printing means to print selected characters in lines of characters, means responsive to depression of any Of said function keys for performing the function corresponding to the key depressed; means responsive to depression of any of said keys for generating digital codes representative of the characters or functions corresponding to the keys depressed; and playback printer operating means responsive to previously generated digital codes for causing said printer to print the characters and to perform the functions represented by said previously generated digital codes; said recording apparatus having read-write means for reading and recording digital codes in a revisable record medium, means for holding a revisable record medium, drive means for providing relative movement between said read-write means and said record medium in order sequentially to read or record alternatively said digital codes in said medium, and selectively operable drive control means for initiating and terminating operation of said drive means; said buffer comprising a multi-cell storage register for storing a plurality of said digital codes in a sequence in the order in which codes are fed to said register, first code transferring means for transferring digital codes in either direction between said printer and said register, and second code transferring means for transferring codes in either direction between said recording apparatus and said register; and buffer memory control means for placing said register and said code transferring means in one of four modes including a first mode enabling transfer of codes generated in response to operation of said keys from said printer to said register, a second mode enabling transfer of codes stored in said register to a record media in said recording apparatus via said read-write means, a third mode enabling transfer of codes from a record media in said recording apparatus to said register via said read-write means, and a fourth mode enabling transfer of codes stored in said register to said printer via said playback printer operating means, said buffer memory control means having means responsive to a predetermined digital code representing a Carrier Return function received by said register from said printer for shifting said buffer memory from said first mode to said second mode and means responsive to said predetermined digital code received by said register from said recording apparatus for shifting said buffer memory from said third mode to said fourth mode.

Claim 35

Word processing and printing apparatus comprising: a typewriter; a recording apparatus; and a buffer memory for controlling the transfer of data between said typewriter and said recording apparatus; said typewriter including printing means, a plurality of informational character and function keys including a Carrier Return key, means responsive to depression of any of said informational character keys for operating said printing means to print selected characters in lines of characters, means responsive to depression of any Of said function keys for performing the function corresponding to the key depressed; means responsive to depression of any of said keys for generating digital codes representative of the characters or functions corresponding to the keys depressed; and playback printer operating means responsive to previously generated digital codes for causing said printer to print the characters and to perform the functions represented by said previously generated digital codes; said recording apparatus having read-write means for reading and recording digital codes in a revisable record medium, means for holding a revisable record medium, drive means for providing relative movement between said read-write means and said record medium in order sequentially to read or record alternatively said digital codes in said medium, and selectively operable drive control means for initiating and terminating operation of said drive means; said buffer comprising a multi-cell storage register for storing a plurality of said digital codes in a sequence in the order in which codes are fed to said register, first code transferring means for transferring digital codes in either direction between said printer and said register, and second code transferring means for transferring codes in either direction between said recording apparatus and said register; and buffer memory control means for placing said register and said code transferring means in one of four modes including a first mode enabling transfer of codes generated in response to operation of said keys from said printer to said register, a second mode enabling transfer of codes stored in said register to a record media in said recording apparatus via said read-write means, a third mode enabling transfer of codes from a record media in said recording apparatus to said register via said read-write means, and a fourth mode enabling transfer of codes stored in said register to said printer via said playback printer operating means, said buffer memory control means having means responsive to a predetermined digital code representing a Carrier Return function received by said register from said printer for shifting said buffer memory from said first mode to said second mode and means responsive to said predetermined digital code received by said register from said recording apparatus for shifting said buffer memory from said third mode to said fourth mode.

Claim 36

Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said main shift register has Y storage cells, Y being an integer, and the signals stored in said main shift register undergo a one-cell shift each time said main shift register is clocked, and further comprising: means for counting each one-cell shift of signals stored in said main shift register and for selectively providing an output signal when the number of one-cell shifts totals one of the following: Y, Y + 1, and Y - 1.

Claim 37

Apparatus according to claim 31 further including means responsive to the output signal of said counting means for terminating clocking of said main shift register.

Claim 38

Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said counting means comprises a counter that provides an output signal when a total of Y input pulses have been applied thereto, gating means for applying a first selected one of said n clock pulses from each of said m groups to the input of said counter, first selectively operable means for inhibiting said gating means long enough to prevent application of one of said first selected clock pulses to said counter, and second selectively operable means for applying a second selected one of said n clock pulses from only one of said m groups to said counter, said first and second selectively operable means being mutually exclusively operable.