Patent US3919935A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3919935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for the recording head of a parallel printer
Assignee: Olympia Werke AG
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Filing: 1974-03-22
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An improved control arrangement for a multi-position printer having a recording head which extends over the entire width of a print line. The control arrangement includes a print position selection unit, having a plurality of outputs for selectively supplying printing current to the printing elements of a printing position; and a character selection circuit which is common to all printing positions and has a plurality of outputs, each corresponding to a particular character, for controlling the flow of printing current to the individual printing elements in dependence on the character to be printed. Each output of the position selection unit is connected via respective series connected resistors with the individual printing elements of the associated printing position. The character selection unit is provided with a plurality of normally open short circuit switches, each connected in series between a respective output of the character selection unit and a point reference potential. Each output of the character selection unit is connected to its associated printing element of each printing position via a respective decoupling diode so that closure of the one of the switches will short circuit the current flowing to the associated printing element.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Langnickel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:40
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J7/00; B41J7/54; B41J7/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
In a control circuit for a multiple printing position printer having a stationary printing head which extends over the entire widTh of a printing line and has a plurality of individual printing elements for each printing position, said circuit including a printing position selection means for selectively applying printing current to the printing elements of a selected printing position, and a character selection means, which is common to all printing positions, for controlling the flow of printing current to the printing elements of the selected printing position in dependance on the particular character to be printed at said selected printing position, the improvement wherein: said position selection means has a plurality of outputs each of which is connected via respective series resistors with all of said individual printing elements of the associated printing position; and character selection means has a plurality of output leads each associated with only one printing element of each of a plurality of said printing positions, and a plurality of controllable normally open short circuit switches each of which is connected in series between one of said character outputs and a point of reference potential; and, each of said printing elements is connected to the associated one of said character output leads only via a separate decoupling diode whereby the selective closing of one or more of said switches will short circuit the printing current flowing from said position selection means around the printing element of the selected printing position associated with the closed switch and only the printing elements of the selected printing position which are associated with open ones of said switches will be supplied with printing current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
In a control circuit for a multiple printing position printer having a stationary printing head which extends over the entire widTh of a printing line and has a plurality of individual printing elements for each printing position, said circuit including a printing position selection means for selectively applying printing current to the printing elements of a selected printing position, and a character selection means, which is common to all printing positions, for controlling the flow of printing current to the printing elements of the selected printing position in dependance on the particular character to be printed at said selected printing position, the improvement wherein: said position selection means has a plurality of outputs each of which is connected via respective series resistors with all of said individual printing elements of the associated printing position; and character selection means has a plurality of output leads each associated with only one printing element of each of a plurality of said printing positions, and a plurality of controllable normally open short circuit switches each of which is connected in series between one of said character outputs and a point of reference potential; and, each of said printing elements is connected to the associated one of said character output leads only via a separate decoupling diode whereby the selective closing of one or more of said switches will short circuit the printing current flowing from said position selection means around the printing element of the selected printing position associated with the closed switch and only the printing elements of the selected printing position which are associated with open ones of said switches will be supplied with printing current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said outputs of said position selection means is connected with a group of said printing elements including the individual printing elements of a plurality of said printing positions, and wherein the number of said individual printing elements per group corresponds to the number of said short-circuit switches in said character selection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said groups includes the individual printing elements of two of said printing positions, whereby printing may occur simultaneously in said two of said printing positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said printing positions contains five of said individual printing elements, each of said groups includes ten individual printing elements, and said character selection means has ten short circuit switches and ten character output leads, each connected to a respective one of said ten printing elements of each group.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for selectively controlling said short-circuit switches in said character selection means to correspond to the character to be printed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a source of operating voltage; and wherein said position selection means comprises a continuous counter means for consecutively connecting its outputs, one after the other with said source of operating voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a source of operating voltage; and wherein said position selection means comprises a multiple access switch which selectively connects those of its said outputs for which there is a character to be printed with said source of operating voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of individual printing elements at each printing position comprise one line of said mosaic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said printing positions has a like plurality of said individual printing elements and each of said character output leads is connected to the same printing element of all printing positions.
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) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |