Character generator system for dot matrix printers

Claim 1

A character generator system for supplying text information to a dot matrix printer whereby text including characters may be printed on a record member, comprising: a data input for receiving information in the form of an M bit code representative of the text to be printed; a microprocessor connected to said input for receiving therefrom the information in the form of the M bit code and including means for expanding the M bit code to an N bit code where N is greater than M; a text buffer connected to said microprocessor for receiving and storing the expanded text information and outputting character start addresses; an address adder in connection with said text buffer for receiving character start addresses; a first address counter connected to the said address adder; a multiplier connected to said address adder; a row, width and character counter connected to said multiplier and to said text buffer for receiving dot row addresses, character width and character height information; a second address counter connected intermediate said microprocessor and said row, width and character counter for synchronizing the output of said text buffer with the output of said multiplier; a plurality of font PROMs connected to said first address counter to receive pixel addresses and generate pixel information; and a control logic in connection with said row, width and character counter and said second address counter for synchronizing activities thereof whereby; said multiplier receives counts from said row, width and character counter and generates character address offsets, said address adder receives and adds the offsets from said multiplier and character start addresses from said text buffer to generate dot row addresses and said first address counter receives the dot row addresses from said address adder to generate pixel addresses that are received by said font proms in response to which said font proms generate pixel information.