US4493570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control system for impact printer
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1982-10-04
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Granted: 1985-01-15
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Expires: 2002-10-04
Abstract
Abstract In an impact printing apparatus including a carriage which carries a rotary type element, the length of time required for a motor drive system for the carriage stop hunting and stabilize at a desired printing position depends on variables including the distance the carriage was moved, character pitch and the like. The apparatus senses these variables and delays hammering of the type element for printing for a length of time calculated to reduce the displacement of the carriage from the desired printing position caused by hunting to an acceptable value while maximizing the effective printing speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeyuki Araki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:16
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J19/00; B41J19/18; B41J19/20; B41J19/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An impact printing apparatus including a movable carriage, a rotary type element mounted on the carriage, drive means for driving the carriage to and stopping the carriage at a desired printing position and hammer means for hammering the type element for printing at the desired printing position, characterized by comprising: delay means for controlling the hammer means to hammer the type element at the expiration of a variable delay time which begins when the carriage has been driven to the desired printing position by the drive means; and control means responsive to a distance of movement of the carriage from a previous position to the desired printing position and setting the delay time of the delay means in accordance with a predetermined function thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An impact printing apparatus including a movable carriage, a rotary type element mounted on the carriage, drive means for driving the carriage to and stopping the carriage at a desired printing position and hammer means for hammering the type element for printing at the desired printing position, characterized by comprising: delay means for controlling the hammer means to hammer the type element at the expiration of a variable delay time which begins when the carriage has been driven to the desired printing position by the drive means; and control means responsive to a distance of movement of the carriage from a previous position to the desired printing position and setting the delay time of the delay means in accordance with a predetermined function thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the predetermined function is selected such that the delay time is longer for a large movement of the carriage than for a small movement of the carriage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the predetermined function is selected such that the delay time is longer for a tabulation movement of the carriage than for an intercharacter spacing movement of the carriage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the delay means comprises a variable timer, the control means being constructed to set the delay time into the timer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the control means is further constructed to compensate the delay time in a predetermined manner in accordance with whether or not a direction of movement of the carriage was reversed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the control means is further constructed to compensate the delay time in a predetermined manner in accordance with a size of a character to be printed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the control means is further constructed to compensate the delay time in accordance with a printing pitch of the printing apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the control means is further constructed to compensate the delay time in accordance with a type selection time of the type element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the control means is further constructed to inhibit the hammer means from hammering the type element until a predetermined length of time has elapsed after a beginning of movement of the carriage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the drive means comprises a motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An impact printing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the motor is a stepping motor.
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) | 1988-01-15 | 1988-07-16 | 1989-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-15 | 1992-07-16 | 1993-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-15 | 1996-07-16 | 1997-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |