US4236446A — Check-digit printing means

Claim 1

Independent Claim 329 words

In a document printer with means for feeding successive documents to be successively serial-number printed in successive printing cycles, said printer including a sequentially indexible numerical print head and means synchronized with the printing cycle for numerically indexing said head in predetermined equal successive increments from one to the next printing cycle, the improvement which comprises indexible decimal check-digit print means carried by said printer and including means synchronized with said printing cycle for check-digit imprinting of each successive document in accordance with the indexed position of said check-digit print means, and further means synchronized with said printing cycle for changing the indexed position of said check-digit print means in accordance with each successive index increment required by a particular weighted-modulus system of computing check-digits, said further means including decimal-indexing drive means for said check-digit printing means, an indexible cyclic storage device having a number of discrete storage units per cycle corresponding to the particular modulus number involved, said storage device producing ann output reflecting the currently indexed storage condition thereof, a plurality of control devices having control connection to said storage device and settable uniquely for each digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head, said control devices being preset to determine different unit-indexing control of said storage device in accordance with the requirements of the particular weighted-modulus system, means responsive to the instantaneous serial-number setting of said print head and determining which digit position of the serial number undergoes a single-digit change other than to zero for each successive printing cycle, said last-defined means producing for each printing cycle an output connection to that particular control device which is uniquely set for the particular digit position undergoing the single-digit change other tnan to zero, and a control connection from said storage device to said decimal-indexing drive means, whereby said check-digit printing means may be reset in synchronism with said printing cycle for check-digit printing in accordance with the currently indexed condition of said storage device.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 329 words

In a document printer with means for feeding successive documents to be successively serial-number printed in successive printing cycles, said printer including a sequentially indexible numerical print head and means synchronized with the printing cycle for numerically indexing said head in predetermined equal successive increments from one to the next printing cycle, the improvement which comprises indexible decimal check-digit print means carried by said printer and including means synchronized with said printing cycle for check-digit imprinting of each successive document in accordance with the indexed position of said check-digit print means, and further means synchronized with said printing cycle for changing the indexed position of said check-digit print means in accordance with each successive index increment required by a particular weighted-modulus system of computing check-digits, said further means including decimal-indexing drive means for said check-digit printing means, an indexible cyclic storage device having a number of discrete storage units per cycle corresponding to the particular modulus number involved, said storage device producing ann output reflecting the currently indexed storage condition thereof, a plurality of control devices having control connection to said storage device and settable uniquely for each digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head, said control devices being preset to determine different unit-indexing control of said storage device in accordance with the requirements of the particular weighted-modulus system, means responsive to the instantaneous serial-number setting of said print head and determining which digit position of the serial number undergoes a single-digit change other than to zero for each successive printing cycle, said last-defined means producing for each printing cycle an output connection to that particular control device which is uniquely set for the particular digit position undergoing the single-digit change other tnan to zero, and a control connection from said storage device to said decimal-indexing drive means, whereby said check-digit printing means may be reset in synchronism with said printing cycle for check-digit printing in accordance with the currently indexed condition of said storage device.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 69 words

The improvement of claim 1, in which said check-digit print means comprises a plurality of different-order independently indexible ten-position print wheels each of which is characterized by different indicia within a decade of printing indicia, said decimal-indexing drive means providing independent decimal-indexing drive of the respective print wheels, as appropriate for the digit position at which each of said wheels is to print for a given required check digit.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 11 words

The improvement of claim 2, in which said plurality is two.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 62 words

The improvement of claim 3, in which said control connection includes a "units" BCD output connection from said storage device to one of said decimal-indexing drives for "units"-indexed positioning of one of said print wheels, and a "tens" BCD output connection from said storage device to the other of said decimal-indexing drives for "tens"-indexed positioning of the other of said print wheels.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 48 words

The improvement of claim 1, in which said storage device comprises indexible wheel means having a number of discrete indexible positions which corresponds to the particular modulus number involved, wheel-index drive means for positioning said wheel means, said control devices having control connection to said wheel-index drive means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The improvement of claim 5, in which said wheel means is inscribed with circumferentially distributed index-position digital indicia, said control connection including stationary digital read-out means positioned to sense the digital indicium for a currently indexed position of said wheel means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

The improvement of claim 6, in which said circumferentially distributed index-position indicia include a first circumferentially distributed set of decimal "units"-divided BCD indicia, and a second circumferentially distributed set of decimal "tens"-divided BCD indicia.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The improvement of claim 1, in which said storage device is a ring counter having a number of discrete counting elements per ring cycle corresponding to the particular modulus involved.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

The improvement of claim 8, in which said ring counter includes selectively operable means for changing the number of said counting elements per ring cycle, whereby a modulus-number change may be selected.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 35 words

The improvement of claim 2, in which said print wheels are so oriented with respect to said indexible numerical print head as to enable two-digit check-digit printing adjacent to and in alignment with serial-number printing.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 255 words

In a document printer with means for feeding successive documents to be successively serial-number printed in successive printing cycles, said printer including a sequentially indexible numerical print had and means synchronized with the printing cycle for numerically indexing said head in predetermined equal successive increments from one to the next printing cycle, the improvement which comprises indexible check-digit print means carried by said printer and including means synchronized with said printing cycle for check-digit imprinting of each successive document in accordance with the indexed position of said check-digit print means, and further means synchronized with said printing cycle for changing the indexed position of said check-digit print means in accordance with each successive index increment required by a particular weighted-modulus system of computing check-digits, said further means including a basic unitindexing drive for said check-digit printing means, a plurality of control devices having control connection to said drive and settable uniquelly for each digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head, said control devices being preset to determine different integer-multiple control of said unit-indexing drive in accordance with the requirements of the particular weighted-modulus system, and counter means responsive to the instantaneous serial-number setting of said print head and determining which digit position of the serial number undergoes a single-digit change other than to zero for each successive printing cycle, said counter means producing for each printing cycle an output connection to that particular control device which is uniquely set for the particular digit position undergoing the single-digit change other than to zero.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 255 words

In a document printer with means for feeding successive documents to be successively serial-number printed in successive printing cycles, said printer including a sequentially indexible numerical print had and means synchronized with the printing cycle for numerically indexing said head in predetermined equal successive increments from one to the next printing cycle, the improvement which comprises indexible check-digit print means carried by said printer and including means synchronized with said printing cycle for check-digit imprinting of each successive document in accordance with the indexed position of said check-digit print means, and further means synchronized with said printing cycle for changing the indexed position of said check-digit print means in accordance with each successive index increment required by a particular weighted-modulus system of computing check-digits, said further means including a basic unitindexing drive for said check-digit printing means, a plurality of control devices having control connection to said drive and settable uniquelly for each digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head, said control devices being preset to determine different integer-multiple control of said unit-indexing drive in accordance with the requirements of the particular weighted-modulus system, and counter means responsive to the instantaneous serial-number setting of said print head and determining which digit position of the serial number undergoes a single-digit change other than to zero for each successive printing cycle, said counter means producing for each printing cycle an output connection to that particular control device which is uniquely set for the particular digit position undergoing the single-digit change other than to zero.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 39 words

The improvement of claim 11, in which the weighted-modulus system is modulus 10, and in which check-digit print means has ten indexible positions, each of said positions being characterized by different indicia within a decade of singledigit printing indicia.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 50 words

The improvement of claim 11, in which the weighted-modulus sytem is modulus 11, and in which said check-digit print means has eleven indexible positions, ten of which are characterized by different indicia within a decade of single-digit printing indicia, and the eleventh of which is characterized by an invalidity-indicating indicium.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

The improvement of claim 13, in which said invalidity-indicating indicidum includes a formation adapted to print the word "VOID".

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

The improvement of claim 11, in which the unit-indexing drive includes a stepping motor.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

The improvement of claim 11, in which said control device includes a signal generator for converting a binary-coded decimal input to an output controlling said unit-indexing drive.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 39 words

The improvement of claim 11, in which said counter means includes step-switch means operatively coupled to determine that digit position of said serial number which undergoes a change other than to zero for each print cycle of said printer.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 36 words

The improvement of claim 11, in which each said control device includes selectively operable means for providing one of at least two different integer-multiples dependent upon digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 32 words

The improvement of claim 11, further including a control module remote from and flexibly connected to said printer, said control module including means for display of each serial number to be printed.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

The improvement of claim 14, in which said control module includes for each settable control device a numerical display of the set condition thereof.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 31 words

The improvement of claim 11, further including a means for providing a delay δ between said numerical indexing of said numerical print head and said indexing of said checkdigit print means.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 257 words

In a document printer with means for feeding successive documents to be successively serial-number printed in successive printing cycles, said printer including a sequentially indexible numerical print head and means synchronized with the printing cycle for numerically indexing said head in predetermined equal successive increments from one to the next printing cycle, the improvement which comprises indexible check-digit print means carried by said printer and including means synchronized with said printing cycle for check-digit imprinting of each successive document in accordance with the indexed position of said check-digit print means, and further means synchronized with said printing cycle for changing the indexed position of said check-digit print means in accordance with each successive index increment required by a particular weighted-modulus system of computing checkdigits, said further means including a basic unit-indexing drive for said check-digit printing means, a plurality of control devices having control connection to said drive and settable uniquely for each digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head, said control devices being preset to determine different integer-multiple control of said unit-indexing drive in accordance with the requirements of the particular weighted-modulus system, and digit-change sensing means responsive to the instantaneous serial-number setting of said print head and determining which digit position of the serial number undergoes a single-digit change other than to zero for each successive printing cycle, said digit-change sensing means producing for each printing cycle an output connection to that particular control device which is uniquely set for the particular digit position undergoing the single-digit change other than to zero.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 257 words

In a document printer with means for feeding successive documents to be successively serial-number printed in successive printing cycles, said printer including a sequentially indexible numerical print head and means synchronized with the printing cycle for numerically indexing said head in predetermined equal successive increments from one to the next printing cycle, the improvement which comprises indexible check-digit print means carried by said printer and including means synchronized with said printing cycle for check-digit imprinting of each successive document in accordance with the indexed position of said check-digit print means, and further means synchronized with said printing cycle for changing the indexed position of said check-digit print means in accordance with each successive index increment required by a particular weighted-modulus system of computing checkdigits, said further means including a basic unit-indexing drive for said check-digit printing means, a plurality of control devices having control connection to said drive and settable uniquely for each digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head, said control devices being preset to determine different integer-multiple control of said unit-indexing drive in accordance with the requirements of the particular weighted-modulus system, and digit-change sensing means responsive to the instantaneous serial-number setting of said print head and determining which digit position of the serial number undergoes a single-digit change other than to zero for each successive printing cycle, said digit-change sensing means producing for each printing cycle an output connection to that particular control device which is uniquely set for the particular digit position undergoing the single-digit change other than to zero.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 306 words

In a document printer with means for feeding successive documents to be successively serial-number printed in successive printing cycle, said printer including a sequentially indexible numerical print head and means synchronized with the printing cycle for numerically indexing said head in predetermined equal successive increments fron one to the next printing cycle, the improvement which comprises indexible check-digit print means carried by said printer and including means synchronized with said printing cycle for check-digit imprinting of each successive document in accordance with the currently indexed condition of said checkdigit print means, said check-digit print means having a cycle of different indexed conditions corresponding to the modulus number required by a particular weighted-modulus system of computing check digits, said check-digit print means having the capacity to print a particular one of a plurality of different check digits for each indexed condition thereof, and further means synchronized with said printing cycle for changing the indexed condition of said check-digit print means in accordance with each successive index increment by the particular weighted-modulus system of computing check-digits, said further means including indexing-drive means for said check-digit printing means, a plurality of control devices having control connection to said drive means and settable uniquely for each digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head, said control devices being preset to ddetermine different check-digit increments of indexing control of said indexing-drive means in accordance with the requirements of the particular weighted-modulus system, and means responsive to the instantaneous serial-number setting of said print head and determining which digit position of the serial number undergoes a single-digit change other than to zero for each successive printing cycle, said last-defined means producing for each printing cycle an output connection to that particular control device which is uniquely set for the particular digit position undergoing the single-digit change other than to zero.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 306 words

In a document printer with means for feeding successive documents to be successively serial-number printed in successive printing cycle, said printer including a sequentially indexible numerical print head and means synchronized with the printing cycle for numerically indexing said head in predetermined equal successive increments fron one to the next printing cycle, the improvement which comprises indexible check-digit print means carried by said printer and including means synchronized with said printing cycle for check-digit imprinting of each successive document in accordance with the currently indexed condition of said checkdigit print means, said check-digit print means having a cycle of different indexed conditions corresponding to the modulus number required by a particular weighted-modulus system of computing check digits, said check-digit print means having the capacity to print a particular one of a plurality of different check digits for each indexed condition thereof, and further means synchronized with said printing cycle for changing the indexed condition of said check-digit print means in accordance with each successive index increment by the particular weighted-modulus system of computing check-digits, said further means including indexing-drive means for said check-digit printing means, a plurality of control devices having control connection to said drive means and settable uniquely for each digit position within the serial-number capacity of said print head, said control devices being preset to ddetermine different check-digit increments of indexing control of said indexing-drive means in accordance with the requirements of the particular weighted-modulus system, and means responsive to the instantaneous serial-number setting of said print head and determining which digit position of the serial number undergoes a single-digit change other than to zero for each successive printing cycle, said last-defined means producing for each printing cycle an output connection to that particular control device which is uniquely set for the particular digit position undergoing the single-digit change other than to zero.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 39 words

The improvement of claim 22, in which the weighted-modulus system is Modulus 11, and in which said check-digit print means has eleven indexible stations, ten of which are characterized by different indicia within a decade of single-digit printing indicia.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 53 words

The improvement of claim 24, in which said check-digit print means includes a print wheel, and in which said unit-indexing drive includes a pulse-operated motor having an output connection to said print wheel and adapted to accept a predetermined number of successive input pulses corresponding to a one-station index of said print wheel.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 42 words

The improvement of claim 25, in which said predetermined number is ten, whereby single-pulse inputs to said motor may enable set-up correction in an initial placement of said check-digit print wheel for best orientation to print at one of its indexed positions.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1983-12-02	1984-06-02	1984-12-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1987-12-02	1988-06-02	1988-12-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1991-12-02	1992-06-02	1992-12-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Check-digit printing means

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