DE1219264B - Printing unit with single-line type sequences moved in line direction - Google Patents

Description

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

GERMAN

PATENT OFFICE

EDITORIAL

Int. Cl .:

G06k

German Kl .: 43 a - ^J 41/03

/ 43 a /

2 9, 1? -.

Number: 1219 264

File number: J 24488IX c / 43

Filing date: September 30, 1963

Opening day: June 16, 1966

The invention relates to a printing unit with in line direction in front of the printing positions, single-line type sequences, in which the images of the characters to be printed with the images of the the type carrier existing, each in the individual printing points located types compared and if they match, the printing process is triggered in the relevant printing point.

Printing units of this type, which work on the principle of "flying printing", are used in particular as output devices in electronic data processing systems. A known embodiment of such a printing unit is the so-called chain printer. As a type carrier, this printing unit contains a type chain that continuously revolves parallel to the print line and on which the individual type characters are arranged in a specific order. Printing hammers are used to print the type characters on the sheet of paper located between the type characters on the chain and the printing hammers, which are optionally controlled electromagnetically in accordance with the information to be printed. The pressure control takes place in these known printing devices, which do not necessarily have to contain a type chain, but can also be equipped, for example, with a type drum or a type bar, in such a way that the type characters in the printing position are then displayed when, after a matching comparison between the The impulses supplied from a memory, corresponding to the information to be printed, with the pulses corresponding to the type characters in the printing position given by a character generator by means of counters are given by the comparator output signals to those print hammers in front of which the type characters corresponding to the information to be printed are located. It is assumed that the types are arranged on the chain in such an order that the bit combinations corresponding to them are set one after the other in the incremental counter. For example, in the “BCD” code, the letter “A” is made up of bits 1, 8, A, the letter “B” is made up of bits 2, 8, A and the letter “C” is made up of bits 1, 2, 8 , A , so that the counter representing the characters arranged in the sequence ^ !, B, C on the chain assumes the positions corresponding to the bit values of the characters yl, B, C in successive steps.

The requirement has now arisen to provide individual printing units with moving in the line direction,
single-line type sequences

Applicant:

IBM Germany Internationale Büro-Maschinen Gesellschaft mb H.,
ίο Sindelfingen, Tübinger Allee 49

Named as inventor:

Fritz Rausch, Böblingen (Württ.)

Replace type characters of the chain and with new type characters that have different bit combinations

ao correspond to replace. In order to make the comparison required to trigger the print even in such a case to be able to carry out, it was previously necessary for the respective counter digits to install a converter that will keep the original

a5 borrowed bit combination set in the counter into the converts the bit combination corresponding to the new character, which is then fed to the comparator will. This recoding does not require too much effort in the case of individual characters to be exchanged feasible, with a larger number of changes to the types, however, complications arise, and the great expense of additional switching means is disadvantageous. One Another difficulty arises when using different character sets with different numbers of Characters should be used because the counter representing the characters corresponds to the respective character set must have adapted capacity.

On the other hand, however, with regard to numerous applications, there is flexibility in the arrangement of the Types desired or required. For example, the fact that those characters that appear in a certain work occur frequently, more often than those characters that are present on the chain occur less frequently, the printing speed can be increased considerably. This applies to the digit sets in those cases in which the printer primarily uses machines to solve math problems is used. When processing the pro-

bleme from banks and insurance companies can come back a different type set would be an advantage to achieve an optimal working speed. In particular

609 579/164

3 4

This also applies if the printer alternates the memory as an exchangeable read-only memory

for. various fonts, for example for train.

European and Japanese fonts used The printing unit according to the invention is suitable for

become ^ oll. but also for printing a large number

The fonts that are used to accomplish such tasks. This will be dated Difficulties are achieved by the invention that the characters correspond to their dung solved in a simple manner. According to the inventions statistical frequency or according to their digestion is the printing unit of the application described above in certain groups or combination types designed so that the images of all NEN of groups are arranged on the type carrier Types of the type carrier according to their arrangement are. It is known per se, the type characters denying on the type carrier in a locally addressable based on their frequency on the type carrier, static memory is included, allocate. But the application results in the earth electrode to compare the image of each in the printing unit according to the invention a special pre-individual Pressure points, some of which are caused by the fact that one Speaking coded characters of the 15 to be printed the different characters or different character line is read out cyclically. Distributions or character frequencies of the types

For printing units in which the type sequence reaches the lowering type chain to its optimal implementation for the pressure cell, or for which one of the requirements requires the appropriate type chain in the number of different types of printing can bring in the corresponding machine, the image of which is then in Number of type sequences line by line at the printing point 20 in the simplest manner in the manner provided for this len are passed, although it is known that memory is entered.

pictures of the types in one with the type carrier enter dynamic memory. However, a device must be provided for the printers such facilities can not solve the number of each presented in the for playback Serve task, since with them only 25 seen lines to be printed characters are recorded and a representative for a whole range of characters compares to the number of characters printed is stored. and if both numbers match that

The printing unit according to the invention is advantageously completed by printing the relevant line. The arrestees Way designed so that to read the turn of this device is in the fiction Images of the types containing memory and 30 corresponding printing unit when printing from a large of the characters to be printed in a line. Number of characters with very different statitenden In the memory, a stical frequency that takes up one character is particularly advantageous, since one inRegister are provided, the content of which follows the achieved great flexibility of the same type is fed. The synchronous readout of the arrangement always select such a type arrangement the memory containing the information and that of the 35, in which the frequency of the characters takes account of type maps containing memory in this is taken into account.

because it only contains one character register replaces the

in other, similar printing units of the usual different types, for example printing units

Commutators for chronologically consecutive, for oriental alphabets, the normal-

pairwise comparison of the individual places of the 40 wise used memory with six levels not

each character to be printed and the image of the in order to support all required bit combinations.

Type carrier containing memory. bring to. It will therefore be in the printer memory

A particular advantage is in the invention and in the part of the controlling the printing process according to the printing unit achieved in that the associated computer memory with eight levels Memory containing images of the types requires an input 45. Should characters of such character sets gang, which by means of controllable switches under also in the other memories of the computer Blocking the input of the works, a recoding must be carried out before characters the print line receiving memory are taken with, in the case of the in a Speicherdem Information input is connectable. Put another piece of information that cannot be accommodated Storage of the type images is thus provided in a memory location. Since the type characters Fan way by the data processing system often useful in groups, such as Latin and controlled. Usually the storage is done in Arabic alphabets, uppercase and lowercase letters, of the image of the type characters, digits, special characters etc. can be subdivided once before the start Pressing. But it can also be between two numbers, it is also possible to have the same bit combination successive printing operations are switched 55 at the same time for the characters of a plurality of character groups. It is to be used, for example, from computational pen, taking the characters of each Reasons necessary, digits always in a group an additional bit or bit combinations correct form to code. However, it may be assigned in order to distinguish it. Such custom-made printing a different representation of the digits took are known per se. Combined with be required or desired. As an example, let 60 the printing unit according to the invention each result called Arabic and Japanese numerals. but a particular advantage in that this In such a case, both types of identifying bits or bit combinations are used in Digits to be present on the print chain, in the transition to memory with only the Bitkomdie Memories containing type images are contrasted with bits corresponding to binary characters only the code characters of that number per memory location, possibly in recoded Numbers stored in a group that precedes the desired form of digits correspond. For other purposes in turn the storage space is housed. Stand up it is advantageous that the type images record the content of the line to be printed

5 6

only one memory with six levels are available, in oscillator 11 step-by-step, which the characters of the different groups The output W _{1 of} the clock pulse generator 10 controls pen differentiating bit combinations via the second inputs of the AND switch U ₁ each in one the relevant group prematurely work of the inhibit write driver 7. stored memory location are accommodated, so he ., ~ Adreßring9 according to printing unit in such a way that it is connected, is only effective when memory via an intermediate memory on the one hand with a pulse of the ring labeled 13 on the one hand and the six inputs of a progression control II on the other side on the AND switch 12 is present, eight inputs having comparators connected OK is only then, and on the other hand, the individual bit is in action when either data is read in the core combinations for identifying the group memories 3 or for printing from the knowing decryptor and two of the encrypted core memories 3 are read out,
The reading of the data from the core memory 3 with two further inputs of the comparator for printing is carried out in a similar way to the integration, which is done when the supplied read under control of the X and Γ write drivers The 5th information triggers the relevant and 6. The content of an eight-bit print hammer causes. The memory location of the core memory 3 is

The invention is based on a by the excitation of the relevant X and Γ lines

Drawings illustrated embodiment loading 20 amplifier 17 in the eight triggers of the trigger register

wrote. 14 transferred. Output R ₁ controls the

The F i g. 1, 2, 3 result, lined up, a clock pulse generator 10 the second inputs of the AND

Block diagram of the control of the invention switch U ₃ and ensures timely reading

appropriate printing. It shows the register 14. From there the memory contents

F i g. 1 is a block diagram of part of FIG. 25 on the one hand via the AND switch 15, the OR

Printing unit control with the text of a switch 16 and the inhibit register 7 by energizing

Print cell receiving memory, the X and Y write drivers 5 and 6 back into the

F i g. Figure 2 is a block diagram of part of the same location read in, on the other hand simultaneously Printing unit control with which the image of the printing types via lines 18 of the comparator circuit 19 receiving memory, 30 led. This comparator is used in the

F i g. 3 is a schematic representation of the print core memory 3 entered content of the respective to Work itself as well as a block diagram of the current printing line with the image of the type circles for the content of the core memory 21 which reproduces the clock chain generated by the printing unit impulses and compared. For this purpose the comparator is 19

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portion of FIG. 35 provided with a second input which can be accessed via the

Printing unit control as in FIG. 1, but in which lines 20 are connected to the second trigger register 22

the memory receiving the text of the print line is connected. The trigger register 22 is

has only six memory levels. stronger stages 23 and the AND switch V ^r ₄ , whose

As can be seen from the drawing, the second input via output R _{1 of} the actual printing unit consists of a continuously circulating 40 pulse generator 10 controlled from the core endless type chain 1, on which all memories 21 are read.

The core memory 21 consists of eight memories are. Compared to the type chain, each write level with 256 memory cores in put a print hammer 2 provided, which are arranged on a 16 rows and 16 columns. In the Between the type chain and the hammer mill, 45 256 places in the memory 21 are all the paper web controllable a character- 256 types according to their distribution on the Imprint generated by storing the paper against one of the type chain 1. The memory 21 is Types on the type chain beats. through the X write drivers 25 and the Y write

The drivers 26 controlled on the basis of the text at hand, the characters of a line, which in turn are printed by the clock pulse, are corresponding to 50 transmitter 10 and the oscillator 11 via the AND of their desired arrangement in the core memory 3, switch 27, the OR switch 24 and the X ₂ - and saves. The core memory 3 consists of eight Y ₂ address rings 28 and 29 are controlled.
Memory levels, one level for each. The regeneration of the respective read-out digit of an eight-bit character code. len of the memory 21 takes place in the same way as the regeneration

Each memory level contains 128 cores, which are arranged in 55 tion of the memory 3 via the AND switches 46, the 8 rows and 16 columns. The capacitance OR switch 47, the AND switch CZ ₂ , the zität of the core memory 3 is thus 128 memory second inputs from the output W _{1 of} the clock pulse points for characters consisting of 8 bits each. The characters are controlled via encoder 10, and the inhibit register the input channel 4 characters of each 48. The AND switch 46 is always then the line to be printed are opened under control 60 when there is no signal on line 53, the X write driver 5 and the F write driver 6 The incrementation of the X ₂ and Y ₂ address rings 28 via the inhibit write drivers of the inhibit registers 7 and 29 takes place synchronously with the movement of the type chain 1 according to their subsequent arrangement in the print line The synchronism is enforced here by the following device in the individual locations of the core memory 3. The chain written. The X write driver 5 and the 65 drive is via the axis 31 with the magnetic track Γ _{write driver 6 are controlled by the X 1} address ring 8 or disk 32 and via the wheels 33 and 34 from the Yj address ring 9, which in turn Connected via the existing transmission with the magnetic track disk 35 clock pulse generator 10 from the constantly oscillating. The gear ratio is the

Gears 33 and 34 selected so that the disk 35 executes one revolution per chain revolution. Magnetic markings are applied to the magnetic track disk 32 in such a density and position that each time a type of chain is in print position "1", a pulse is read by the magnetic head 36 and fed to the AND circuit 38 via the amplifier 37 will. On the magnetic track disk 35 there is a single mark which brings the trigger 41 into the ON state via the magnetic head 39 and the amplifier 40, which causes the pulses coming from the magnetic head 36 to be via the line 42, the AND switch 43 and the OR switch _{24 to get to the Z 2} - and Y ₂ address rings 28 and 29 and advance them synchronously with the movement of the type chain. The ON-keying of the trigger 41 via the amplifier 40 by the voltage pulse generated by the magnetic track disk 35 ensures that the incrementation of the Z ₂ - and Y ₂ address rings 28 and 29 begins at a precisely defined position of the type chain, namely when the type that corresponds to the character with the memory address "1" of the memory 22 is opposite the first print hammer.

When performing a printing operation, the Z ₂ and F ₂ address rings 28 and 29 are controlled via the OR switch 24 and the AND switch 27 under the control of the ring increment I and the clock pulse generator 10, or with the aid of the inverter I. Via the OR switch 24, the AND switches 43 and 38 are brought under the control of the magnetic track disks 32 and 35 synchronized by the type chain 1. As a result, 128 incremental pulses from the clock pulse generator 10 and one incremental pulse from the AND circuit 38 via the line 42 to the Z ₂ and Y ₂ address rings 28 and 29 each time the type chain is shifted by a type width. Since the clock pulse generator 10 _{actuates both the Z 1} - and Y ^ address rings 8 and 9 and the Z ₂ - and Y ₂ address rings 28 and 29, the two memories 3 and 21 are read out synchronously, and after each complete readout of the Memory 3, the reading of memory 21 begins offset by one position, caused by the pulse from magnetic track disk 32.

The Z ₁ - and l ^ address rings 8 and 9 are connected to the Hammerauswahmiatrix 44 in such a way that synchronously with the reading of the 128 digits of the memory 3, the 128 print hammers 2 are prepared at successive times via 128 lines and 128 AND switches 45 for triggering will. However, it is only triggered if a pulse from the comparator 19 that indicates the presence of the same characters in the registers 14 and 22 reaches the AND switch 45 at the same time.

The information to be printed is entered via the line 4 and the AND switch 50. The input of the image of the type chain into the memory 21 also takes place via the line 4, then but via the line 49 and the AND circuit 51. The decision in which of the two Memories 3 and 21 are to be read in by means of control pulses on lines 52 and 53, respectively.

Should a memory with only six memory levels be used to store the data to be printed can, as in the following in connection with the circuit diagram of FIG. 4 described, be proceeded. The memory 81, which corresponds to the memory 3, allows 64 different characters to be stored with its six core levels. Four of these characters are used to identify a maximum of four different groups of characters, so that (64-4) 4 = 240 characters can be displayed and printed. The four control characters are recognized by a decoder circuit 82 controlled by the two bistable circuits 83 and 84 will. The four possible states of the bistable circuits 83 and 84 cause the Comparator 19 selects one of the four character sets. In place of the eight amplifiers 17 of the eight-digit Trigger register 14 and the eight inhibit write drivers of inhibit register 7 come into play here the six amplifiers 85, the six-digit trigger register 86 and the six inhibit write drivers of the Inhibit Register 87.

Claims (8)

Patent claims: 1. Printing unit with single-line type sequences passed in line direction in front of the printing positions, in the image of the characters to be printed with the images on the type carrier existing types located in the individual pressure points are compared and in the event of overshooting, the printing process is triggered in the relevant printing point, characterized in that the images of all types of the type carrier (1) correspond accordingly their arrangement on the type carrier in a locally addressable, static Memory (21) are included, which is used to compare the image of each in the individual printing points types with the correspondingly coded characters of the line to be printed is read out cyclically. 2. Printing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that for reading out the images the memory (21) containing types and the one containing the characters to be printed in one line Memory (3) each have a character receiving register (14, 22) are provided, the content of which is fed to the comparator (19). 3. Printing unit according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the images the type containing memory (21) has an input (47) which is controlled by means of a switch (50, 51) with simultaneous blocking of input (16) of the characters of the print line receiving memory (3) can be connected to the information input (4). 4. Printing unit according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the type memory is designed as an exchangeable read-only memory. 5. Printing unit according to several of claims 1 to 4 for printing a large number of Fonts having characters, characterized in that the characters are known per se Way according to their statistical frequency or according to their use are arranged in certain groups or combinations of groups on the type carrier. 6. Printing unit according to several of claims 1 to 5 for printing a large number of Characters with very different statistical i Fonts exhibiting frequency, characterized in that in and of itself known Way a device is provided that the number of each in the intended for playback Line of characters to be printed is recorded and compared with the number of characters printed, and if both numbers match, it completes the printing of the relevant line. 7. Printing unit according to claim 5, characterized in that in a known manner the same bit combination is used simultaneously for the characters of several character groups is, with the characters of the individual groups an additional bit or bit combinations for Distinction are assigned, and that these bits or bit combinations when transitioning on Memory with a bit number each corresponding only to the bit combinations of simple characters Storage space, possibly in recoded form, in one of the preceding groups Storage space are housed. 8. Printing unit according to claims 1 to 7, characterized by the content of each To be printed line containing memory (81) with six levels, in which the Characters of the different groups differing bit combinations in each case in one of the group in question upstream storage location are accommodated, which has a Intermediate memory (86) on the one hand with the six inputs and on the other hand eight inputs having comparator (19) is connected, and the other hand via a the individual Bit combinations for identifying the groups recognizing decryptors (82) and two the bistable switching elements (83, 84) storing recoded characters with two further inputs of the comparator (19) is connected, which when the information supplied matches triggers the relevant print hammer. Considered publications: German Patent Nos. 619 864, 1133 158, 1145405; Austrian Patent No. 230134; Swiss Patent No. 365 900; French Patent No. 1267 942; U.S. Patents Nos. 2,799,222, 2,918,865,
077158. For this purpose 2 sheets of drawings 609 579/164 6.66 © Bundesdruckerei Berlin