US3949367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drum printer control
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-28
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Granted: 1976-04-06
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Expires: 1993-12-28
Abstract
Abstract Control of a drum printer by signals from an LSI/MOS calculator chip. Drum generated signals and control signals generated on a second LSI/MOS chip operating in synchronism with the calculator chip selectively provide for actuation of a line of print hammers. Further, two channels coupling the calculator chip to the control chip provide for flow of coded character words and function words for printing of both functions and characters on a given line. Further, control of the printer is accomplished by observing which digit time in the calculator chip a specific dedicated flag is set.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Cochran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A printing system for printing rows of numerals using at least one semiconductor chip where drum row pulses are generated in predetermined time relation to movement of each drum character row past a print station and wherein a plurality of hammers cooperate with a like plurality of drum disks to print selected drum symbols, comprising: a. a storage means to store a set of multi bit data words representing a set of numerals to be printed on a given line, means for inputting data to the storage means least significant digit first, b. clock means to circulate said set of words in said storage means at a high rate compared with the rate of rotation of said drum cyclically to enable shift register output lines, the clock means circulating the words in a direction most significant digit first, c. an output buffer store selectively connected at its input to said output lines to receive and store a state for each symbol to be printed at a designated column postion and to be connected at its outputs to drivers for said hammers, and d. means responsive to rotational positions of said drum for loading and gating out the contents of said output buffer store thereby to enable printing of said characters, such means being operative to suppress leading zero numerals until a non-zero numeral is reached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A printing system for printing rows of numerals using at least one semiconductor chip where drum row pulses are generated in predetermined time relation to movement of each drum character row past a print station and wherein a plurality of hammers cooperate with a like plurality of drum disks to print selected drum symbols, comprising: a. a storage means to store a set of multi bit data words representing a set of numerals to be printed on a given line, means for inputting data to the storage means least significant digit first, b. clock means to circulate said set of words in said storage means at a high rate compared with the rate of rotation of said drum cyclically to enable shift register output lines, the clock means circulating the words in a direction most significant digit first, c. an output buffer store selectively connected at its input to said output lines to receive and store a state for each symbol to be printed at a designated column postion and to be connected at its outputs to drivers for said hammers, and d. means responsive to rotational positions of said drum for loading and gating out the contents of said output buffer store thereby to enable printing of said characters, such means being operative to suppress leading zero numerals until a non-zero numeral is reached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein a logic decoder selectively connects said storage means and said drum rotation means to said output buffer to AND the logic array inputs in producing each said state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 wherein a calculator supplies said chip with timing pulses to synchronize said storage means with said calculator in generation of cycle and subcycle timing signals and wherein said storage means and said output buffer are operated at the subcycle time rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 in which control means loads said output buffer with states a column location for all characters on a drum row to be printed on said line during one cycle time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 in which a calculator is connected to supply a stream of data words to said storage means at a rate corresponding to entry of one word each step of said storage means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 and including a programmed logic array having one set of input lines connected to the output of said storage means and wherein a row counter has a set of coded lines leading to said array to AND outputs to said output buffer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
213 words
Drum printer control implemented on a semiconductor chip where a sync pulse is generated in predetermined time relation to movement of a drum reference point past a print station and wherein a plurality of hammers cooperate with a like plurality of drum disks to print selected drum symbols, comprising: a. a multi bit, multi word, bi-directional shift register storage means to store a set of multi bit data words representing a set of symbols to be printed, b. means including a counter to count drum rows passing said print station, c. a logic unit having input lines leading from said counter and from said storage means, d. an output buffer store gated at its input to said logic unit, e. clock means to circulate said set of words in said storage means in one direction at a high rate compared with the rate of rotation of said drum and to gate an output state from said logic unit to said buffer in synchronism with operation of said storage means for a printing operation, the clock means causing the words to be entered into the storage means in the opposite direction from an external source, and f. means responsive to said counter for outputting the contents of said buffer for activation of said hammers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
213 words
Drum printer control implemented on a semiconductor chip where a sync pulse is generated in predetermined time relation to movement of a drum reference point past a print station and wherein a plurality of hammers cooperate with a like plurality of drum disks to print selected drum symbols, comprising: a. a multi bit, multi word, bi-directional shift register storage means to store a set of multi bit data words representing a set of symbols to be printed, b. means including a counter to count drum rows passing said print station, c. a logic unit having input lines leading from said counter and from said storage means, d. an output buffer store gated at its input to said logic unit, e. clock means to circulate said set of words in said storage means in one direction at a high rate compared with the rate of rotation of said drum and to gate an output state from said logic unit to said buffer in synchronism with operation of said storage means for a printing operation, the clock means causing the words to be entered into the storage means in the opposite direction from an external source, and f. means responsive to said counter for outputting the contents of said buffer for activation of said hammers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
225 words
Drum printer control implemented on a semiconductor chip where a sync pulse is generated in predetermined time relation to movement of a drum reference point past a print station and whereina plurality of hammers cooperate with a like plurality of drum disks to print selected drum symbols, comprising: a. a multi bit, multi word storage means to store a set of multi bit data words representing a set of symbols to be printed, and means to enter said data words into the storage means one word at a time in one direction, b. a counter to count drum symbol positions passing said print station, c. a PLA having input lines leading from said counter and from aid storage means, d. an output buffer store gates at its input to the select lines of said PLA, e. control means to output said set of words from said storage means one word at a time in the opposite direction at a high rate compared with the rate of rotation of said drum and to gate said select lines in synchronism withh said storage means, f. means responsive to a print state for applying the contents of said output buffer to said hammers, and g. means associated with said control means to suppress words output from the storage means until a character of a predetermined type is reached.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
225 words
Drum printer control implemented on a semiconductor chip where a sync pulse is generated in predetermined time relation to movement of a drum reference point past a print station and whereina plurality of hammers cooperate with a like plurality of drum disks to print selected drum symbols, comprising: a. a multi bit, multi word storage means to store a set of multi bit data words representing a set of symbols to be printed, and means to enter said data words into the storage means one word at a time in one direction, b. a counter to count drum symbol positions passing said print station, c. a PLA having input lines leading from said counter and from aid storage means, d. an output buffer store gates at its input to the select lines of said PLA, e. control means to output said set of words from said storage means one word at a time in the opposite direction at a high rate compared with the rate of rotation of said drum and to gate said select lines in synchronism withh said storage means, f. means responsive to a print state for applying the contents of said output buffer to said hammers, and g. means associated with said control means to suppress words output from the storage means until a character of a predetermined type is reached.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of control of a drum printer through a semiconductor chip where drum row pulses are generated in predetermined time relation to movement of each drum character row past a print station and wherein a plurality of hammers cooperate with a like plurality of drum disks to print selected drum symbols, comprising: a. circulating in a storage means on said chip a set of multi-bit data words representing a set of symbols to be printed on a given line at a very high rate compared with the rate of rotation of said drum cyclically to present a coded train of words at the output of said storage means, and b. selectively receiving and storing states on said chip for symbols to be printed at a designated drum column and in response to rotational positions of said drum thereby to enable printing of said characters.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of control of a drum printer through a semiconductor chip where drum row pulses are generated in predetermined time relation to movement of each drum character row past a print station and wherein a plurality of hammers cooperate with a like plurality of drum disks to print selected drum symbols, comprising: a. circulating in a storage means on said chip a set of multi-bit data words representing a set of symbols to be printed on a given line at a very high rate compared with the rate of rotation of said drum cyclically to present a coded train of words at the output of said storage means, and b. selectively receiving and storing states on said chip for symbols to be printed at a designated drum column and in response to rotational positions of said drum thereby to enable printing of said characters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 9 in which said states are stored in subsets where each said subset designates all like characters to be printed on said line for simultaneous actuation of like sub-sets of said hammers to print said like characters as given rows on said drum past said print station.
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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) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |