DE1774286A1 - Format control - Google Patents

Description

Format Control The invention relates to format control, and more particularly a device for generating control events to a displaceable arrangement in certain positions with respect to a holding device for recording material to move and to change the format of the: attached to the recording material Control sign. .

Means to change the format of the recorded on a recording material Setting information automatically or by hand is known and is particularly important Use for printouts from computer systems. The invention The underlying task is to create a facility to accommodate the format of the information applied to a recording material either directly from the keypad of the computer or with the help of a program tau. The programming is supposed to be as easy to implement as possible and 'also allow mechanical control' which is simple and economical.

This object is essentially achieved by first devices for generating a first signal proportional to the distance from a reference point on the holding device as well as the desired position of the displaceable arrangement at the time of the next activation, second devices for generating a first signal proportional to the distance of the reference point from the displacement, arable arrangement at a certain point in time proportional second signal, computing devices for performing a subtraction with the first and second signal to generate a third signal that is the difference between the first and two reproduces the th signal at a certain time, converter device gen for generating a fourth signal; if. the shiftable Arrangement a certain distance with respect to the reference signal achieved, and by display devices that generate an expensive signal generate if; the third signal due to 4,4; p, subtraction. dea- fourth signal reaches the value zero. According to a special feature of the invention, the format control encompasses an addressing circuit which contains% fommtioaen which indicate the extent to which a printing element has been taken, and also information which identifies the next or the desired position of the printing element. By subtracting the number of positions taken from the number of the desired position, a difference number is determined. The sign of this difference determines the direction of movement of the pressure element. The size of the difference, on the other hand, determines the speed at which the pressure element is shifted. A speed control reduces the speed of displacement of the printing element when the element is within a predetermined distance of the desired position. The pressure element is then stopped because the difference number assumes the value zero, ie the pressure element has reached the desired position.

According to a further feature of the invention, devices are provided to move the displaceable element of the output device of a computer step by step, either by hand or under program control. The position of a recorded character is monitored by a scanning device which is displaceable point by point along the document. When the scanning mechanism is shifted, a signal is generated which indicates the magnitude of the shift distance. This 1-signal is used to briefly record the current position when the output device wanders back and forth. A command to take up a new position is entered into the computer from the keypad or from a stored program. The new position is subtracted from the recorded previous position, giving a signal indicative of the distance by which the output device must be shifted before the character can be reproduced. The sign resulting from this subtraction indicates the direction of displacement of the output device. The amount of the difference sign controls the speed and direction of movement of the dispenser.

The scanning mechanism can advantageously be shifted forwards or backwards at any time, in contrast to known format controls which only allow a shift between a few specific positions as a function of the computer control. These positions are set mechanically by using stops along the displacement path. Such devices cannot be moved back and forth between arbitrary points .

Another advantage of the invention is that programming can be used for control, as opposed to hard-wired control of the known facilities. The one from the output device when moving back and forth generated signals are stored in the memory of the computer, which takes the form of a program-controlled counter. Each of the signals can lead to the previous one Signal can be added and stored in a specific memory location: This number can be subtracted from another number in the calculator's arithmetic unit will, which identifies the desired position to be assumed by the dispensing device. The difference resulting from this subtraction can be used to control the Speed and direction as well as to control the stopping of the dispenser be used. The processes can be controlled with the help of short programs, which are stored in the computer for certain formats.

The invention is explained in more detail in the drawing; show it; Fig. 1 a block diagram showing the use of the format control in conjunction with a keypad controlled Calculator represents; 2 a single pressure element in a schematic representation, that can be used as an output device; 3 shows a converter in schematic form Representation corresponding to a step-by-step displacement of the output device Provides signals; Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the manner in which in which the location of the output device can be recorded; Fig. 5 is a block diagram an embodiment of the invention; 6 shows a block diagram for the determination the speed and stop signals; 7 is a schematic circuit diagram for the Direction and speed control; Fig. 8 is a block diagram, which represents the functionality for controlling the output device when these for recording in successive positions on the recording medium is located; Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a change in position for tabulating, returning of the carriage, or other movements without expressions; Fig. 10 is a flow chart, which shows the different steps that the arithmetic unit follows to create the to control the output device, software units instead of conventional ones Hardware units are used; Fig. 11 is a flow chart of a software computer according to the invention. In the block diagram according to FIG. 1, an output device 100 controlled by a central processing unit 102 and a single point controller 104. This control takes place as a function of information that the single point control from the output device 100 and from the central processing unit 102. A Keypad 106 is also provided to manually enter information into an addressing unit 108 that has access to memory 110. The addressing unit 108 can cause data from the data section 112 of the memory 110 in dependence from a data selection controller 114 to the central Arithmetic unit 102 be read in. Calculation and format information # Gionen can also come from a further section 116 of the memory 110 depending on a selection control 118 for the computer program and a selection control 120 for the format program can be read out. These controls provide in the preferred embodiment Miniature programs represent, which can consist of permanently interconnected program units.

The memory 110 can. be of any kind and be magnetic Core matrix memory or magnetic disk storage can be constructed. The addressing unit 108 may consist of any suitable selection matrix. If magnetic core storage The addressing and selection circuits can use a known selection matrix use with a magnetic read head. For the, output device and the central processing unit, various types are known that can be used.

Since the format control according to the invention is a single point control is used, a transducer is used to detect the movement of a scanning mechanism Use that determines the positions for the recording. In Fig.2 is for the illustration of the use of such a converter a single as a mail merge printer executed pressure element shown. The pressure element 200 is relative to a Shifted pressure cylinder 202 on which the recording material is arranged. The individual pressure element 200 strikes against the recording material on the print roller. 202, which enables the print reproduction at certain selected positions takes place.

The pressure element 200 is arranged on a slide 204, which is displaceable along a slide guide as a function of the control of a spindle 208. A pawl 210 is arranged on the slide 204, the position of which is controlled by an actuating magnet 212. The actuating magnet 212 pulls the pawl 210 upwards when the carriage 204 with the pressure element 200 is displaced relative to the pressure roller 202. As soon as the slide is to be stopped, leaves. the actuating magnet 212 releases the pawl 210 so that it engages in a toothed rack 214 which is fixedly mounted with respect to its position in relation to the pressure roller 202. As soon as the pawl 210 engages the rack 214, the pressure element 200 is in a for the Position brought. The spindle 208 shifts the carriage from one printing position to the other and, when the pawl 210 is engaged, biases the carriage so that when the pawl is lifted the carriage immediately shifts a distance so that the pawl into the next notch the rack 214 occurs. A detector 216 is arranged on the slide 204, which detects the position of the slide with respect to the rack 214. The detector 216 comprises a transducer which supplies a pulse to the computer whenever the carriage 204 changes its position relative to the rack 214 by one step. These pulses are used to record the position of the carriage so that the computer can determine both the number of positions and the direction in which the printing element 200 must be shifted in accordance with a designated format prior to printing.

In Figure 3, a converter is shown which is suitable for this purpose and indicates the position of the slide in the output device. On the bottom the rack 214 are many. Highly permeable magnetic shunts arranged and placed at such a distance from each other that for each position of the carriage a magnetic shunt is present.

The transducer 216 mounted on the carriage has a ferromagnetic core 312, which lies between two pole pieces 314 and 316. Each of these pole pieces is formed to fit around the ferromagnetic core 312 and also rests on two highly permeable legs 318 and 320. Between these thighs a permanent magnet 322 is arranged such that one pole end of the permanent magnet 322 in contact with one leg and the other pole end in contact with the other leg stands.

So there is a closed magnetic flux from one end of the pole of the permanent magnet over one leg, the ferromagnetic core and the other leg back to the other pole end of the magnet. At the ends of the legs 318 and 320 are respectively pole pieces 324 and 326 arranged, the come to rest next to the magnetic shunt 300 when the slide is along the rack 314 is moved. The pole pieces are aligned such that they together with the permanent magnet and the magnetic shunt form a closed one Form a circle.

If the magnetic shunt is not adjacent to pole pieces 324 and 326, the entire magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 322 closes over the ferromagnetic core 312 so that it does not move from one to the other State can be switched. On the other hand, if the magnetic shunt 300 is over the pole pieces and the permanent magnet 322 form a second closed magnetic circuit builds up, part of the flux of the permanent magnet 322 is from the ferromagnetic gladly held 312, so that this core switched from one to the other state can be when a corresponding current flows through the control winding 330.

Whenever the core is switched from one state to the other, voltage is created in output winding 332. An adjusting screw 334 is screwed through theehenke1.320, which points in the direction of the leg 318 and allows a tributary flow with high permeability, which determines the size of the magnetic tributary flow according to the gap between the screw 334 and the leg 318. In this manner, the reverse flux for core 314 can be adjusted so that the core will not be switched by an applied bell pulse unless magnetic shunt 300 is positioned opposite pole pieces 324 and 326. In contrast, the core is switched by the bell pulse when the magnetic shunt 300 bridges the two pole pieces 324 and 326. If a plurality of shunts 300 are disposed on the underside of the rack 214, and if the transducer 216 is attached to the carriage in the vicinity of the shunts, then an output signal is generated in the output winding 332 in response to a bell pulse whenever the carriage is off is moved from one printing position to the other. It is also possible to connect one or more shunts 300 to the spindle 208 and make them rotate with the spindle 208 and cooperate with an adjacent transducer whenever the spindle rotates enough to move the carriage one printing position move. The shunt releases the ferromagnetic core in the converter and causes an output pulse for the computer. In this embodiment, fewer shunts are required.

In Fig.4 a further Detaktor is shown, from the impulses on the computer supplied, by counting the position of the slide is displayed at any time with respect to a reference position on the platen. At the Underside of the rack 214 h a variety of magnetic shunts 400 provided, the distance between any two shunts being equal to the distance between two: print positions of the carriage 204 is. With the sledge are two Cores 402 and 404 connected and arranged at a distance from one another which is less than is the spacing of the shunts. The cores are held by a permanent magnet 406 provided with a @ magnetic bias. An AC driver stage 408 alternately sends pulses to both cores, which emit an output pulse, if one of the shunts passes them, so that of the two cores emitted output pulses are emitted at different times when the carriage advances by one printing position.

These pulses become various inputs of a flip-flop 410 fed after having different filters 412 and 414 as well as different delay stages 416 and 418 have passed. The outputs of filters 412 and 414 are respectively connected to one input of two AND gates 420 and 422, the second input of which is connected to the two different outputs of the flip-flop 410. The exits and gates 420 and 422 are connected to the two terminals of a reversible counter 424 connected.

When the carriage is shifted, a magnetic shunt occurs one of the nuclei and causes an output pulse, which via one of the AND gates, which is held by the output signal of the @ flip-flop 410 in readiness are transmitted will. Later another pulse is delivered from the other core and the one not held by the output of the flip-flop 410 AND gate applied so that no signal appears at the output of the AND gate. the Pulses from the first and second nuclei will also be in the same order your flip-flop 410 transmit and cause a change of state twice, so that this remains in its initial state, as a result of the delay stages 416 and 418 this change occurs after a pulse to the reversible counter 424 was created to count a print position.

When the slide changes its direction of movement, there is an impulse applied to one of the two input terminals 426 and 428 for setting the direction, to change the setting of the flip-flop 410. This completes the counting process exactly the other way round and a pulse is always applied to the reversible counter when the slide moves one position. However, the impulse will pass to the other If the input terminal of the counter is applied, it counts in the opposite direction. It follows that, regardless of the direction of movement of the carriage, the Counter 424 always records the exact position of the carriage with respect to the print roller. It is possible to 'use one of the ferromagnetic cores and the hard-wired counter to be omitted by using an appropriate computer program. To this Possibility will be discussed in more detail later. In the block diagram according to Figure 5, an embodiment of the invention is shown in which a central processing unit 500 the output device 502 point by point as a function of a stored program. The central processing unit 500 transmits a number in a register 504 consisting of eight bit positions of the desired position, where the number indicates the new position to which the sliders will be moved target. A position detector, as already described above, transmits the The counter was in register 508 of the eight bit positions that had been taken Position corresponding to the position-wise displacement of the output device 502. The register 508 holds the count, whereby the current position of the carriage is displayed in the output device.

A comparison stage 510 receives the count from the register 504 of the desired position and compares this with the counter reading of the register 508 of the position taken. The output signal of the comparison stage becomes four Control units of the Ausgah®einrichtung 502 supplied. The sign evaluation 512 supplies a signal for the direction control 514, depending on whether the counter reading of the register of the desired position or the register of the position taken is bigger. An equality signal 516 energizes stop control 518 to engage the pawl 210 to be released, whereby the carriage is stopped when the count of the Register 508 of the position taken is equal to the counter reading of register 504 the desired Position is. A distance signal 520 for three Positions energizes the slow control 522 when the count of the register is desired position by exactly three positions greater than the counter reading of the register the position taken is. A distance signal 524 for more than three positions energizes the fast control 526 when the count of the register is the desired Position by more than three positions larger than the counter reading of the register of position is taken. The central processing unit 500 also supplies a signal to character selector 528 to determine the next character to be printed target. The central processing unit also supplies a character to the output command unit 530 which causes the type of print to be moved against the platen.

The comparison stage 510 and the registers 504 and 508 can accordingly the) state of the art in different ways. Instead of fixed interconnected counters, program-controlled counters can also be used. The same thing applies to the comparison stage 510, instead of a permanently connected comparison stage a program-controlled comparison stage can be used.

In Figure 6, a comparison stage is shown as a block diagram, which is particularly suitable for the present invention. In this comparison stage, a 6-bit subtraction counter 600 and a 2-bit subtraction counter 602 represent the most important elements. The counters 504 and 508 consist of 6-bit and 2-bit counters connected in series. The outputs of the 6-bit counter 604 and the 6-bit counter 608 are connected to the 6-bit subtraction counter 600 and the outputs of the 2-bit counter 610 and the 2-bit counter 612 are connected to the 2-bit subtraction counter 602. This subtraction counter consists of an adder that performs the subtraction by adding the complement of the: @ubtrahenden.

If the subtrahend is greater than the minuend, the direction controller 614 receives a signal that shifts the carriage to the right. If the minuend is greater than the subtrahend, the direction controller 614 receives a signal from the 6 hit subtraction counter 600 that the carriage is following shifts left. These signals are derived from the transmission signal from the subtraction counter. When the 6 bit subtraction counter 600 indicates that the subtrahend in counter 608 is equal to the minuend in register 604, a signal is given to slow down control 616. This is done whenever the carriage is three positions from the final position as the count is done in binary form. When the 2-bit subtraction counter 602 indicates that the subtrahend in the 2-bit counter 612 is equal to the minuend in the 2-bit counter 610, a signal via the AND gate 620 is on. the stop control 618 given. The AND gate 620 provides an output signal only when both the 6-bit subtraction counter 600 and the 2-bit subtraction counter 602 indicate equality between the desired and the current position of the carriage.

The slide is driven by a DC motor. The control of the engine is shown schematically in Fig.7. Flows in through the armature 700 Current in one direction when a binary 1 is applied to terminal 702 and in the opposite direction when a binary 1 is applied to terminal 704 will. The signals for terminals 702 and 704 are from the two outputs of one Flip-flop supplied so that only one terminal can be controlled at a time. Of the The flip-flop is activated by the signal from the circuit of the subtraction counter which determines the sign controlled.

The positive input to terminal 702 is from the NPN transistor 706 amplifies, which in turn turns transistors 708 and 710 into the current-carrying State controls. The transistor 710 reverses the positive voltage of the shaft 712 and causes transistor 716 to be less conductive. This in turn becomes the Current of transistors 718 and 720 reduced so that through armature 700 no current can flow from left to right. At the same time a binary 0 appears of terminal 704, which reduces the current flow in transistor 722. This will the current flow in transistors 724 and 72_6 is also reduced. The transistor 726 reverses the low amplitude signal and drives transistor 728 into conductive State. The transistors 730 and 732 are thus further controlled in the conductive state and cause a right to current flowing through the armature 700 of the motor on the left. You can see that a binary 1 applied to terminal 704 and a binary 1 applied to terminal 702 0 reverses the switching states of the transistors described above, so that a Current flows through the armature from left to right and the motor moves the slide in opposite direction shifts.

Transistors 734 and 736 are to a differential amplifier interconnected, its inputs at the opposite ends of the resistor 738 are connected by a portion of the current flowing through the armature 700 is interspersed. The resistor 738 is selected in size such that a Current of 8 amperes in armature 700 a; voltage drop generated at resistor 738, which is neutralized by the voltage drop at potentiometer 742, which is applied to the Voltage source 740 is present. If less than 8 amperes are flowing through armature 700, the voltage drop across resistor 728 is smaller and causes a smaller one current flowing through transistor 736. This will increase the collector voltage on Transistor 736 is raised, causing the on the input circuit of the motor controller fed back voltage is increased. As a result, the electricity either decreases in transistor? 08 or in transistor 724, depending on which direction the motor turns. This decrease in current is a consequence of the lower current through two of transistors 718, 720, 730 and 732 which bridge the motor control and compensate for the preceding increase in current. A reverse functional sequence results when the current in armature 700 drops below 8 amperes. In this way the current can be kept constant. The slow control, the quick control and the stop control are carried out by a tachometer which determines the rotational speed of the motor and a circuit breaker or AND gate 744 in the supply line of the engine controls. The AND gate 744 isolates the power supply from the motor circuit whenever the speed of the motor is a certain predetermined value exceeds or the engine is stopped.

The high and the low speeds are controlled by an oscillator that generates pulses at two different frequencies. The low frequency corresponds to the low speed and the high frequency corresponds to the high speed. The motor speed is determined with the help of a photocell, the impulses depending on the speed of the motor. The frequency of this Impulse is compared with the frequency supplied by the oscillator. The frequency of the oscillator is selected by a flip-flop. When the frequency of the pulses exceeds the pulse frequency of the oscillator due to the rotation of the motor, will the switch 711-4 is open and the power supply is disconnected from the motor, through which whose speed of rotation drops to the nominal speed.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a device which controls the carriage when it is stopped in successive positions. If, for example, a single printing element is used, the circuit according to Pig.8 is suitable for holding the position of the printing element when it prints out the successive letters of a word.

The program for controlling the format and the information about the thing to be printed is stored in a memory 800 in which all of the keypad retrievable data can be saved before printing. The follow of orders is transferred from memory 800 to a Q register 802, which in the present case Embodiment is the command register. The short programs for controlling the Format through this. Register fed. The one stored in the Q register Command is decoded by the address matrix 804.d for further information memory and other necessary operations during printing to control.

The information identifying the character to be printed is provided by the Storage 800 fed into an R recirculation loop 806. The R recirculation loop transmits information to the A recirculation loop 808 via the AND gate 810 which is controlled by the Q register 802. The Infosmation can can also be transmitted directly to adder 812 via AND gate 814.

The character to be printed is first out of the R recirculation loop 806 and then transferred to and from the A recirculation loop 808 fed into the B register 816 via the AND gate 818. The character setting can be done from the keypad or the result of a calculation. Of the Print command from Q register 802 to input / output switch 820 causes the one stored in B register 816. Information to the binary-decimal converter 822 is transmitted to select the appropriate character on the print element, before this strikes against the recording material. The one in the Q-memory 802 Information also triggers a command to the actuator magnet controller 824 to move the: carriage forward one position after each printing of a character move.

A number that indicates the current position of the sled indicating a specific reference point on the platen is in the A recirculation loop 808 recorded. When the carriage moves through several positions without a push of the button is moved further, the final position of the slide is in the B register 816 recorded. However, since the B register 816 must contain the information that whenever the print element prints characters in a sequence, the character to be printed indicates it is unable to do that Position of the final To save the slide position. As a result, the instruction in the 9th register increases in size 802 automatically "the position number stored in the A recirculation loop by 1 whenever the carriage prints a character and moves on to the next position. To do this, the Q register 802 sets the K carry register 826 and causes the position number from the A recirculation loop 808 to be in the Transfer adder 812 by opening the AND gate at the correct time will. The position number is then transmitted through the serial adder 812 and increased by the carry signal in the K carry register 826. Then the position number read back into the A recirculation loop 808 by passing the AND gate 830 through a pulse is opened.

Whenever the printer prints a number of characters in sequence, becomes a series of commands that identify the characters and a control code for successive printing, from memory 800 to register 802 read in. The q register 802 causes the correct character to be taken out of memory 800 into the R recirculation loop 806, the A recirculation loop 808 and in the B register 816 is read. It also sends a command to the B register 816 as well as to the input / output switch 820, whereby the printing element in the is placed in the correct position associated with the character. It also sends a Signal to the control of the stop, causing the pressure element against the recording material posted will. This is followed by the in Q register 802 The command that is located releases the control 824 for the actuating magnet and causes that the carriage is moved one position to the right. It also represents the R transfer register 846, whereby the position number of the slide of the A recirculation loop via adder 812, in which it is increased by one is fed back into the A recirculation loop 808.

In Fig.9 a block diagram is shown that the switching elements includes, which are needed when the slide to several positions without running of a printing operation. This can be the result of the actuation, for example the spacebar or the return key.

In this case, the instruction is read from memory 900 into Q register 902. This command contains signals which indicate that the slide is to be moved over a long distance. The command also contains the address of the memory 900 of the desired position number, which indicates the position up to which the @ 3slide is to be moved. The portion of the Q-register contains the address of the desired position number, PEICHER 900 is transmitted to the address array 904, the s a reading of the position number in the R-recirculation loop, caused 906th The command stored in the Q register 902 causes that: @ the desired position number is read into the A recirculation loop 908 by the pulse-controlled opening of the AND gate 9'I0: The position number of the assumed position of the slide is normally @ in the A- Recirculation loop 908 is stored and is read into the B register 916 by a pulsed actuation of the AND gate 918.

The desired position number is then transmitted from the A recirculation loop 908 to one input of a subtraction counter 912. At the same time, the number of the position taken is transferred from the B register 915 to the other input of the subtraction counter 912, so that the number of the position taken by the carriage is transferred from the. The number of the desired position of the carriage is subtracted to obtain a distance number which indicates the direction and the distance in which the carriage must be moved. This number is stored in a work register. If this subtraction supplies a transfer signal, the number of the position taken is less than the slot number of the desired position. As a result, a signal is transmitted to the direction control of the carriage, which indicates that it should be shifted to the right. If there is no carry signal, the direction control of the carriage is operated so that the carriage shifts to the left. The distance number is then read into the A recirculation loop 908 via the AND gate 920. The output signal of a 3-position counter 922 is read into the jubtraction counter 912 via the AND gate 924 at the same time as the difference number is read back from the A recirculation loop 908 into the subtraction counter 912. The count of the 3-position counter 922 is subtracted from the number in the A recirculation loop. If the distance number in the A recirculation loop is less than 3, no carry signal is generated. However, if the distance number is greater than 3, a carry signal is generated. If there is no carry signal, the control matrix 926 provides a signal to the drive means 928 to enable slow control of the motor to drive the carriage. When a carry signal is generated, the control matrix 926 sends a signal to the drive device 928 to activate the high speed control of the carriage motor.

When the carriage shifts, the one attached to the carriage generates Position detector 930 a signal for each position traversed by the carriage. the The position-wise-generated pulses by the position detector 930 depend on the distance number Subtracted pulse by pulse. At every subtraction during a quick move of the slide is compared with the number stored in the 3-position counter carried out. When the difference assumes the value 3, a code signal is generated from the B register as a function of the control of the control matrix for the drive device 928, which switches the motor to slow speed will. Thenceforth. the content of the 3-position counter 922 is gradually decreased. if this has reached the value 0 as a result of the 3 pulses from the position detector 930, becomes transmit a signal to the control matrix 926, which in turn controls the drive device 928 applied with pulses to release the pawl for engagement with the rack and thereby stopping the sled.

When the carriage is moved at high speed, will the distance number in the subtraction counter is reduced by 3 and each pulse from the position detector 930 into the subtraction counter 912 via the AND gate 932 together with the by 3 read in reduced distance number. The from position detector 930 to the subtraction counter Binary 1 transmitted in 912 is subtracted from the distance number. WDnn the original The distance number was greater than 3, the distance number reduced by 3 is greater than 0, see above that no carry signal arises. In the absence of such a carry signal, it opens the control matrix the AND gate 932 so that the next signal from the position detector into the subtraction counter along with the reduced distance number from the A recirculation loop is read. The iteration matrix also transmits the distance number from the subtraction counter 912 into the A recirculation loop 908 by sending a signal to AND gate 920 is applied and then reads the signal back into the subtraction counter 912, by sending a signal to AND gate 934 in synchronism with the signal from the position detector 930 is created. This generates the binary 1s that are generated by the position detector 930 to subtract from the distance number are read out until the distance number denotes Takes value 3. If the distance number has the value 3, then a carry 'signal at the end of the comparison of the number in the 3-position counter 922 with the difference number from the A recirculation loop 908 to the control matrix 926 created. This occurs because the distance number reduced by 3 is less than 0. If this is the case, the control matrix 926 transmits a signal to slow control the Drive device 928 and at the same time a signal to the AND gate 936, sb that the Position signals are transmitted from the position detector 930 to the 3-position counter 922, which acts as a counter in two directions. The 3-position counter 922 is now through the pulses from the position detector 930 counted down to 0. Once this is the value When it reaches 0, it sends a signal to the control matrix 926, which in turn sends a stop signal applied to the drive device 928. Of course, a program-controlled Counter can be used instead of the permanently interconnected 3-position counter.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart which describes the mode of operation of the circuits according to FIGS. 8 and 9. Block 1000 shows the first step after the number of the desired position has been determined and the program indicates that a space bar movement or a return movement of the carriage is desired. It can be seen that the decision is made after the subtraction, according to which there are three possibilities for the calculation and format control. 1) If the distance number is 0, the actuating magnet remains switched on for the pressure, so that there is no movement of the Ächlitten. 2) If a carry signal and a distance number are present, the distance number takes a negative value and the control matrix transmits a signal to the direction flip-flop to shift the carriage to the left: 3) If there is no carry signal but a distance number is present is, the distance number assumes a positive value and the control matrix transmits a signal to the direction flip-flop, whereby the .3chlitten is shifted to the right: Block 1002 indicates that a further decision must be made if a distance number greater than 1 is present. This decision determines whether the distance number is greater or less than 3. This is in turn indicated by a carry signal from the complementary subtraction counter when a 3 is subtracted from the distance number, as described in connection with FIG. If there is no carry signal, then the distance number is greater.39 Which triggers the excitation of the rapid control. However, if a carry signal is present, then the value of the distance number is less than 3, so that the long drive is actuated: Block 1004 indicates that whenever the carriage is moved at high speed, a decision is made after each displacement by one Position must be met, uuX to determine whether the slide is within three positions at a distance from the end position. This decision is made again: At the step indicated in block 1002, if the decision in block 1002 indicates that the distance number is equal to 3 or less than 3, the computation is carried out according to a new program sequence. The next decision in this sequence is indicated by block 1006 and is that the number 1 is subtracted from the distance number whenever the carriage shifts one position. As soon as the difference becomes 0, the actuating magnet for the pressure element is energized and the sliding movement is ended. However, if the difference is different from 0, the method step indicated in block 1006 is repeated for each step-by-step displacement of the slide.

FIG. 11 shows a diagram similar to the flow diagram according to FIG. 10, the usual characters being used for programming. The symbol 1102 marks the beginning of the program. The rhombus 1104 identifies the decision with which it is determined whether the carriage is in the desired position or not. When the carriage is in the desired position, the program sequence, as indicated by the symbol 1106, is ended. If, on the other hand, the: -slide is not in the desired position, then a transition to a programmed flip-flop takes place, which is triggered by the within the dashed block 110? indicated: symbol is marked. The programmed flip-flop is used to sample the output signal from the position detector at two different times. If two consecutive; changes to the ;; signal are detected, a slide position is counted. The program-controlled flip-flop 1107 changes from one state to the other, continuously trying to detect such a signal change. The Signa. is first transmitted through an input channel 1108 to the unit executing the decision, which in the present case is a subtraction counter, in order to determine whether the signal represents a binary 1 or not. The decision is labeled 1110. If no signal has been received, the input signal is transmitted via the input channel 1112 with the next clock pulse and, as represented by the symbol 't114, a further comparison with a binary 1 is carried out. Again, if no binary 1 is determined during decision 1114, the input signal is transmitted over input channel 1108. This process is repeated until a binary 1 is detected in the input, whereupon the signal is transmitted via input channel 1116 if the decision has been made by unit 1110, or the signal is transmitted to channel 1118 if the decision has been made by the unit 1114 was hit. A similar sequence is repeated in that decision steps 1120 and 1122 are carried out until a second change in the input signal is detected. If this is the case, a binary 1 is recorded in the 8-bit register which is in the R recirculation loop according to FIGS. 9 and 10. This step is designated 1124 and indicates that the distance number reduced by 3 has been reduced by 1. These # @ bsi; 2nd :: number Awd is in a working register and is u #, reduced distance number. -e.srnl,: run the u -, 1 3 reduced distance number by 1- nent @ ,,. ird, the decision is made 1126 in which determined whether the distance number reduced by 3 is positive or negative is. `:! "# nn the distance number reduced by 3 is positive, results b, 2il; i step ^ 1-26 no carry signal because the number has the value 0 not if the reduction occurs during program step 1124 has called. In this case the program goes to the nch.e :: Progrr-mmstep 1130, in which the output ever : @ high speed flip flop is tested. There "ler cl" suffered at high speed at that time the flip-flop is in the reset state, so:? =: -s program. the decision route 1132 back to ying. @ l @ ;? channel 5 is run with program step 1112, from "o es" runs continuously. ..2 -. N is the number of intervals reduced by 1. during execution of F7 #, step 1124 passes through the value 0, the shows that the slide is three positions from the printing position tion is removed. In this state there is an over- -. Carrying signal from the adder, so that the program from step 1126 is continued to step 1128, with which the high- speed flip-flop is set. Then that will Program led back to input channel 5, with which, a con- Continuous further sampling of the position signals takes place. If, on the other hand, the one consisting of 8 bit positions decreased by 3 If the distance number has passed the value 0, it can be replaced by a further reduce the size in program step 1'.124 to the value 0 no longer run through. As a result, the program continues with the Step 1130 with which the high-speed flip Flop is tested. However, as the high speed flip-flop was set by program step 1128, the pro- program continue with step 1134, with which the programmed Counter or index counter is tested to see if he has the count 0 or not. At this point, this register holds the number 3. Since this number differs from 0 is, the program follows the decision route 1'136 back to program step 1138, with which the index register is @ is reduced. The program then returns to step 1108 Input channel 5 back and continues counting: The program follows again during the next two counts the sequence of steps't'126, 1130, 1134, 1138 and back to step 1108, since all these steps remain the same, but if three Counts have been carried out, the number 'in the index register takes the Value 0, so that the program can use another Iloute @ from program Follow point 1134 from and breathe step 1140 Skip, 'with which the high-speed PliF1op is withdrawn, which The slide is now in the printing department. gram blows over to the normal zuitand. In that this is the case a new program is introduced into the arithmetic unit with step 1142 and the slide is stopped with step 1144 in that the pawl engages the rack.

The device according to the invention provides a very flexible and economical technology to control the format point by point at the output of a computer, either by an operator or by a stored program. Through this a greater format flexibility is possible, in contrast to systems in which only a few tab settings are possible in certain positions. The general Equipment used for the computer can also be used for other control purposes of the format can be used.

Claims (6)

P a t e n t a'n s p r ü c h e 1. Format control and in particular a device for generating control signals in order to move a displaceable arrangement into certain positions with respect to a holding device for recording material, and in order to control the format of the characters affixed to the recording material. (504) for generating a first signal proportional to the distance from a reference point on the holding device and the desired position of the displaceable arrangement at the time of the next activation; second signals proportional to a specific point in time, arithmetic means (510) for performing a subtraction with the first and second signals to produce a third signal (524) which represents the difference between the first and second signals at the specific time, converter means (.9 ' 30.) to he generation of a fourth signal when the displaceable arrangement reaches a certain distance with respect to the reference point, and by monitoring devices (620) which generate a control signal when the third signal reaches the value 0 as a result of the subtraction of the fourth signal. Format control according to Claim 1, characterized by drive devices to move the displaceable arrangement along a predetermined movement path, switching devices to stop the drive devices on receipt of a first signal and to start them on receipt of a second signal, Jandler devices for generating a third signal if the displaceable arrangement shifts by a predetermined distance, storage means for accumulating and recording the third signals, whereby an indication of the position of the displaceable arrangement is provided in relation to the reference point, means for receiving fourth signals which designate the position up to which the displaceable one Arrangement is to be shifted, and by comparison means to compare the third and fourth signals and to supply the first signal to the switching means whenever the third and fourth signals are equal, and to the second signal to be applied to the switching devices when the third and fourth signals are not equal. 3. Format control according to claim 2, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the switching devices with the receipt of the first signal the drive devices stop, with the receipt of the second signal, a shift in one direction cause and with the reception of a fifth signal a shift in one second direction cause the control devices to receive the third signals, the number of a desired position of the displaceable arrangement along the movement path based record on the reference point, add the third signals to the distance number, when the displaceable assembly is displaced in one direction and the third Subtract signals from the distance number if the sliding assembly is in the second direction is shifted, so that the storage facilities a record contain, which indicates the current position of the sliding arrangement, that the input devices receive the number of the desired position that the Position on the movement path indicates up to which the displaceable arrangement is to be moved, and then the comparison devices the distance number and the Compare the number of the desired position and send it to the switching devices emit the first signal when the distance number and the number of the desired position are the same, or apply the second signal to the switching devices if the Distance number is less than the number of the desired position and also a fifth Apply the signal to the switching devices if the distance number is coarser than the Number of the desired position. 4. Format control according to claim 3, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the switching devices have a speed control include that the drive devices to a displacement with a slow Speed of receiving the fifth signal and a shift with one cause high speed when receiving a seventh signal, and that the Comparison devices signal delivery devices for speed control which send a sixth signal to the speed control when the difference between the number of positions desired and the number of positions taken Position is smaller than a given number and which deliver a seventh signal, when the difference between the number of the desired position and the number of those occupied Position is greater than the specified number. 5. Format control according to claim 1, characterized in that the arithmetic unit includes means to add the fourth signal to the second signal when the displaceable means moves in one direction, and to the fourth signal from the second signal subtract when the sliding device is moving in a second direction, and that there are monitoring devices which generate a first control signal when the third signal is 0, thereby indicating that the sliding Z-arrangement should be stopped, which a second: generate control signal when the third G signal is positive and thus indicates that the displaceable assembly is in the first direction should be shifted, which generate a third control signal, if (read third:; signal is negative and indicates that the r, ch F: bb -). re @ ". arrangement can be shifted in a second direction den: "oll, that generate a fourth" control signal when the third ,: ignnl has a value greater than a given number and d, nrnit, -rrizei @; t, d.af: the displaceable arrangement with high wez # den shall spare the buzz and the fifth tax Generate a signal when the third signal has a value which is smaller than the predetermined number and thus indicates that the displaceable arrangement is to be displaced at slow speed. 6. Format control according to claim '!, Characterized in that output devices are provided to apply a marking with a marking device to a recording material, in which the recording material is clamped by a holding mechanism, since the marking device has a plurality of positions in which a marking is applied in each case to the recording material, the positions being identified by a number for the position assumed, which denotes the distance from a reference point on the holding mechanism, since: -the transducer devices generate a signal when the marking device moves from a position in shifts an adjacent position that a central memory is present which comprises a first register for recording the position numbers which indicate the position of the marking device in relation to the reference point, that an arithmetic unit is present in the first ar ithmetic switching devices a '! add to the number of the assumed position stored in the first storage register when the marking device is shifted in one direction to the adjacent position; and subtract the one '' from the number of the occupied position stored in the first negister when the M, zrkierungseinricht, arif-; in the other direction depending on the facilities generated -. signals always shifted when the marking device a variety of marking positions operations one after the other without executing a marking. l @ uf`, daf-: the first control devices one in the ", memory ge c. select the saved number that corresponds to the desired position is chracteristic, in which the next marking is gci-racht if this next position by a lot number of position steps from that of the marking device position is removed, since the second arithmetic switching devices are available to control the facilities selected number from the one in the first, 3 storage register subtract stored number, daP second storage register are present to be the difference in the first; .storage register s no-: the number and the number determined by the first control device supplied number to be stored, that third arithmetic 3 is DIRECTIONS exist to get to the one in the first .l storage register gf:;: r> the specified number to add a 1 if the output device (#I in (> attaches the identifier in a position that corresponds to the aor .'- i: r iniL F @ - adjacent to a marked position and d.,. the j °, .output device.;, includes expensive devices, Print the one label if the one in the second tab stored number becomes 0. '7. Format control according to claim 6, characterized in that - indicates that the output device has a marking Facility included to provide a marking in a variety of To attach positions, each position being identified by a position number. which is the distance from a reference. Point on the holding mechanism indicates that the storage devices record information and comprise a first register for recording the position number, and that the first arithmetic switching devices respond to the signals generated by the transducer devices and add a 1 to the position number whenever the marking device is in the advances one direction to the adjacent position and subtract 1 from the position number when the marking device advances one position in the second direction. B. format control according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the output devices comprise a direction control to the output device in the first. Direction to shift when the output signal from the second arithmetic switching means is positive, and to shift the output means in the second direction when the output signal from the second arithmetic switching means is negative, and that there is a speed control with which the output means with a is shifted at a slow speed when the output signal from the second arithmetic switching means is smaller than a predetermined number and at which the output means is shifted at a high speed when the output signal from the second arithmetic switching means is larger than a predetermined number.