DE2828105A1 - THERMAL PRINTER - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a thermal printer with a paper transport device and a write head which is arranged stationary and at least one transversely to the direction of the paper advance over the entire writing width extending row of writing points, each of which can be controlled individually by means of a microprocessor.

A thermal printer according to the main patent is versatile in that it provides information not only in alphanumeric Form, but also in analog form. However, data input is only possible via a parallel interface or a serial interface, which in some Cases that prevent the use of the thermal printer.

The invention is therefore based on the object, the thermal printer to improve according to the main patent by expanding the application possibilities. This task is according to the invention solved by an analog part with an input for analog signals, an analog / digital converter and a Memory with a control module to be connected to the microprocessor.

The analog part not only enables the input of analog information, which is in analog form in the paper transport direction or printed across it. With the help of the memory it is also possible to keep the information essential faster than they are based on the given Writing speed can be printed. Fast-running analog processes or signals, for example a EKG signals remain in the memory until they can be called up for playback using the write head. Another important advantage is that several pieces of analog information are stored in the memory and then can be printed out simultaneously in the form of several lines.

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In a preferred embodiment, the analog part is equipped with a RAM memory. This RAM memory is via data buses with the control module and the latter via a data bus and a control bus with the microprocessor tied together.

A further improvement of the application possibilities of the thermal printer can be made by a connection to the microprocessor connectable keyboard for bit-parallel, character-serial data input. Leave in a particularly easy way By means of such a keyboard, in addition to data which are to be printed out by means of the writing head, program commands for the microprocessor. For example, the line to be printed out can be formatted in this way i.e. the zero point and the scales can be specified for both coordinates.

The increased storage capacity required in some applications Available in a preferred embodiment is in addition to one with the microprocessor A RAM memory, to which the write head peripherals are connected, is provided, which is combined to form a memory unit and which is connected to the microprocessor and the control module of the analog part via data and control buses.

In the following the invention is explained in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

The single figure shows a block diagram of the exemplary embodiment.

The thermal printer has an immovable in the device housing arranged write head 104, which extends transversely to the paper

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transport direction extends and on its underside a also -transverse to the transport direction, extends over has the entire writing width extending row of writing points which are individually controllable. The distance the writing points from one another, measured from the center of the writing point to the center of the writing point, is in the exemplary embodiment 0.35 mm. The temperature sufficient for the printing process is reached within about 5 ms at a current of maximum 50 mA reached.

The blocks, which are grouped into blocks of 12 points each, are controlled Write points by means of a memory module 130 which contains a RAM memory, a timer and I / 0 ports. This memory module has an 8-bit bus and a 4-bit bus 130 a point driver 119 is connected, which is connected to the write head 104 via a 12-bit bus. A block driver 120, which is connected to the write head via a 48-bit bus, is preceded by a decoder which is connected via a 4-bit bus and a 3-bit bus is controlled by the memory module 130.

The memory module 130, which serves the write point blocks in the multiplex method and in which the write data as well as ASCII characters are stored is connected to a microprocessor 106 via an 8-bit data bus and a 4-bit control bus, which together with a ROM memory, a RAM memory, a timer and I / 0 ports are combined to form one component is. This timer is connected to that of the memory module 130 via an additional line.

The microprocessor 106 controls all processes within the thermal printer. It also operates a via a 4-bit bus Paper control 131, which the paper transport control, an error message lamp, a paper end switch and a paper feed switch and a device for selecting the

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transmission speed of the serial interface. Part of the control of the paper control 131 and the transmission speed determination is taken over by the Memory module 130, which is why this is connected to the paper control 131 via a 3-bit bus. For a serial A driver 117, which is controlled by a USART module 132, is provided for data input. This module is on connected to the 8-bit data bus and the 4-bit control bus, which also connects the microprocessor 1O6 with the memory module 130 connects. The clock frequency for the USART module 132 is generated by the memory module 130 and via corresponding Connecting lines supplied.

A keyboard 133 is available for parallel data input, with the bit-parallel, character-serial ASCII characters can be sent. With the help of the keyboard 133, not only data can be entered, which by means of the writing head should be printed out, but also information about the formatting of the data to be printed out. For example, the zero point of the coordinate system and the scale of both coordinates can be used for a curve to be reproduced can be specified. A zero point shift or, for example, an expansion in the direction of one or the other Coordinate therefore does not cause any difficulties. It is also easily possible to adapt the information to be printed out To provide information to the space provided by a form.

The thermal printer is designed in such a way that the keyboard 133, which is connected to the microprocessor via an 8-bit bus can also be connected later.

In order to also be able to record analog information, an analog part 134 is provided, which can also be added later can be. The data is entered via an amplifier

and an analog / digital converter 136 connected downstream of this into a RAM memory 137, which is from a UPI module 138 is controlled. The connection between the UPI module 138 and the RAM memory 137 is used by data buses and others Connecting lines.

The UPI block 138 is a control element that can also store a rapidly changing analog signal, for example an EKG signal, in the RAM memory 137. In addition, the UPI block 138 effects the data conversion in the desired output format, i.e. a recording lengthways or across the direction of paper transport. The UPI module 138 is connected to the microprocessor 106 and the memory module 130 via the 8-bit data bus and the 4-bit control bus, the connection options being designed in this way are that the analog part 134 can also be added later.

If, for example, an EKG is to be recorded, then only the EKG output signal needs to be sent to the input of the analog part to be connected. Due to the formatting made possible by means of the UPI module 138, the EKG can optionally be in the paper transport direction or transversely to the paper transport direction, with a recording on essential Sections can be restricted. The space required for the EKG can thereby be reduced so much that the doctor can can use the EKG as a billing document.

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Claims (4)

Patent claims : ' 1)! Thermal printer with a paper transport device and a writing head _f which is arranged in a stationary manner and has at least one row of writing points extending transversely to the direction of the paper advance over the entire writing width, each of which can be individually controlled by means of a microprocessor, according to patent (patent application P 28 02 660.0-27), characterized by an analog part (134} with an input for analog signals, an analog / digital converter (136) and a memory (137) with a (106)
processor / control module to be connected (138). 2) Thermal printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory of the analog part (134) is a RAM memory. 3) thermal printer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a keyboard (133) which can be connected to the microprocessor (106) for a bit-parallel, character-serial data input. 4) Thermal printer according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that in addition to a memory combined with the microprocessor (106) to form a module, a RAM memory (130) is provided to which the write head peripherals are connected is and the via data and control buses with the 989832/0321 Telephone information and orders are only binding after written confirmation - ο - Microprocessor (1Ο6) and the control module (138) of the analog part (134) is in connection. 2/03211