US3880075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic chain identification method and apparatus
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-26
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-12-26
Abstract
Abstract Chain printers presently in the art are constructed to permit replacement or changing of the type carriers to facilitate the use of a variety of character sets or fonts. In order to handle a plurality of type slug carriers of different fonts, a translator must be provided for each font set. In order to indicate that the translator being used matches the font set of the type carrier placed on the printer, several teeth on the type carrier are filed down. The filed teeth are later sensed as an identification code unique to that type carrier. This code is stored in a register in the printer controller to be compared with a code in another register that identifies the translator being used.
Inventors
- 👤 Duane E Bovett
- 👤 Robert E Bohn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:47
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J1/00; B41J1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In a chain printer wherein the type carrier has a font set thereon and utilizes a plurality of teeth for engaging driving mens, apparatus for generating a unique binary code identifying the font set on the carrier comprising: a predetermined plurality of flattened teeth located on said type carrier so as to be representative of said unique binary code; sensing means adjacent said type carrier for sensing the flattened teeth when said type carrier is being driven; and means responsive to said sensing means for generating a binary code representative of the sensed flattened teeth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a chain printer wherein the type carrier has a font set thereon and utilizes a plurality of teeth for engaging driving mens, apparatus for generating a unique binary code identifying the font set on the carrier comprising: a predetermined plurality of flattened teeth located on said type carrier so as to be representative of said unique binary code; sensing means adjacent said type carrier for sensing the flattened teeth when said type carrier is being driven; and means responsive to said sensing means for generating a binary code representative of the sensed flattened teeth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for storing the binary code representative of the sensed flattened teeth; means for storing a standard binary code; and means for comparing the binary codes stored in said storing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said storing means for storing a binary code representative of the sensed flattened teeth comprise a serial-input, parallel-output shift register.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a chain printer wherein the type carrier has a font set thereon and utilizes a plurality of teeth for engaging driving means, a method for generating a unique binary code identifying the font set on the type carrier comprising: flattening a plurality of teeth on said carrier in a preselected order representative of said unique binary code; sensing the flattened teeth when said type carrier is driven; and generating a binary code representative of the sensed flattened teeth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a chain printer wherein the type carrier has a font set thereon and utilizes a plurality of teeth for engaging driving means, a method for generating a unique binary code identifying the font set on the type carrier comprising: flattening a plurality of teeth on said carrier in a preselected order representative of said unique binary code; sensing the flattened teeth when said type carrier is driven; and generating a binary code representative of the sensed flattened teeth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising: storing the binary code representative of the sensed flattened teeth; storing a standard binary code; and comparing the stored binary codes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a chain printer wherein the type carrier has a font set thereon and utilizes a plurality of teeth for engaging driving means, one of said teeth being physically modified and sensed by a detection means for generating a synchronizing pulse, apparatus for generating a unique binary code identifying the font set on the carrier, comprising: an additional plurality of physically modified teeth located on said type carrier displaced from the physically modified tooth for representing said binary code, said additional plurality of physically modified teeth being sensed by said detection means; and means responsive to said detection means for generating the binary code represented by said representing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a chain printer wherein the type carrier has a font set thereon and utilizes a plurality of teeth for engaging driving means, one of said teeth being physically modified and sensed by a detection means for generating a synchronizing pulse, apparatus for generating a unique binary code identifying the font set on the carrier, comprising: an additional plurality of physically modified teeth located on said type carrier displaced from the physically modified tooth for representing said binary code, said additional plurality of physically modified teeth being sensed by said detection means; and means responsive to said detection means for generating the binary code represented by said representing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: means for storing the generated binary code; means for storing a standard binary code; and means for comparing the binary code stored in said storing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said physically modified teeth are flattened, and wherein said storing means for storing the binary code generated by said detection responsive means comprises a serial-input, parallel-output shift register.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a chain printer wherein the type carrier has a font set thereon and utilizes a plurality of teeth for engaging driving means, a method for generating a unique binary code identifying the font set on the type carrier, comprising: physically modifying a predetermined plurality of said plurality of teeth at predetermined locations on said type carrier so as to be representative of said unique binary code; sensing the physical modification of said predetermined plurality of said teeth; and generating a binary code representative of the physical modification.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a chain printer wherein the type carrier has a font set thereon and utilizes a plurality of teeth for engaging driving means, a method for generating a unique binary code identifying the font set on the type carrier, comprising: physically modifying a predetermined plurality of said plurality of teeth at predetermined locations on said type carrier so as to be representative of said unique binary code; sensing the physical modification of said predetermined plurality of said teeth; and generating a binary code representative of the physical modification.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said physically modIfying comprises flattening said predetermined plurality of teeth, and further comprising: storing the generated binary code; storing a standard binary code; and comparing the stored binary codes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |