DE3112871A1 - Comb printer, in particular thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

A comb printer, in particular a thermal printer, is disclosed which can record received information with different types of representation, e.g. different colours which can be determined according to fixed criteria, in a single printout on the recording medium. For this purpose, the printing elements are divided into groups of identical printing intensity but with different printing intensity from group to group. A coding device assigns the respective printing information in accordance with the type of representation in each case to those printing elements which are connected to the same group of associated printing elements. According to a further solution, digit drivers which are positioned in front of the printing elements are constructed with digit driving which can be changed over and the step change-over inputs can be fed with a change-over pulse in accordance with the desired type of representation of the associated printing information.

Description

FRIED. KRUPP SOCIETY WITH LIMITED IiAFTUIiG in food

Comb chisels, in particular thermal printers

The invention relates to a Karam pen, such as thermal printer, 5 electrosensitive printer or Like., The genus specified in the preamble of claim 1.

In a known thermal printer of the type mentioned at the beginning The storage locations of shift register stages are type • Formed a shift register. Each shift register stage is connected to a writing or printing element via a buffer memory »The printing elements are located in a row of printing elements close to one another, the transverse to the feed direction of a temperature-sensitive Paper is arranged. A write amplifier is connected upstream of each pressure element. The write amplifiers each have a control input. All control inputs are connected in parallel and to a print command input connected ,. The entire thermal printer is designed as a highly integrated chip on which only the print command input, the signal and clock input of the shift register and the store command input are accessible from the outside for transferring the contents of the shift register to the buffer. Will on that A control pulse is applied to the pressure command input the contents of the buffer are printed out, which have previously been taken over by the shift register, whereby each printing element, which is covered with printing information, has a black dot on the image by burning it out Paper generated. With the appropriate color paper is also

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a monochrome printout is possible, it being conceivable that a layer covering the color layer in the area of the printing elements burned out and thereby the underlying color in the size of the printing area of the pressure element is released.

Such a thermal printer has the disadvantage that one printout is displayed uniformly, that is, in one single color or in a uniform shade of black. Zxrar it is possible to have the subsequent printouts through Andem the write gain and / or write duration in a different type of representation, e.g. B. a different color or a lighter shade of black, but in no case can the The type of representation can be varied. So it is impossible to use a single expression with e.g. B. different colors or to produce different, clearly distinguishable black or gray tones.

In particular, however, when thermal printers are used to record echograms in echo sounders a need to have echoes received within a plumb period reflected by a single printout of the thermal printer are recorded at the same time, according to predetermined Criteria, e.g. B. echo strength, through different types of representation, z. B. different colors, clearly distinguishable from one another and thus a distinguishing criterion for the viewer of the echogram for each echo to give.

The invention is based on the object of providing a comb recorder, E.g. a thermal printer, dot matrix printer or electrosensitive printer of the type mentioned at the beginning to create, with which the type of representation, e.g. the color, for different within one expression information contained in the printout may be varied can.

ORIGINAL BATHROOM

This task is particularly common with a comb recorder Thermal printer, the one mentioned in the preamble of Atispruchs 1 Kind by the features in the characterizing part de »Claim 1 solved»

With the comb recorder according to the invention, different information contained in a single printout can be recorded in different types of representation. If the comb recorder is to print out, for example, different colors, a correspondingly prepared thermosensitive paper is required, which has, for example, different colored layers on top of one another. Due to the different writing or pressure intensity of the individual writing elements, the paper is burned out to different depths, so that different colors are exposed accordingly. When the writing elements are written with high intensity, the layers of paint on top are burned out point by point in the order of magnitude of the writing surfaces of the writing elements and the deepest layer of paint is exposed . In contrast, when the writing intensity is very low, only the topmost layer of ink is exposed. Instead of a color printout, conventional thermal printing paper can also be used to display different levels of blackness or gray, depending on the writing intensity, within a printout.

By dividing the writing elements into groups of different writing intensity and by assigning the information to be written to the individual groups, the information can be written out simultaneously with a single printout in different types of representation. The number of display types depends on the number of writing element groups. The comb pen according to the invention is, for example, three groups of writing elements

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-ιοί, then within an expression z, ö. in three Basic colors and a further three mixed colors can be written, so in a total of six different representations th. Of course, only one type of representation, e.g. B. monochrome or black, written will. In this case, only those memory locations with a Print or write information assigned to a single group associated writing elements connected are. Due to the essentially even distribution the writing elements belonging to a group over the entire writing area of the combing pen a uniform overall expression for each type of representation or Gesaratausschrift achieved, which is in the appearance picture does not differ from printouts from known thermal printers.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from claims 2 to k. If the writing surfaces of all writing elements are of the same size, then a writing amplification of the writing amplifiers connected to the writing elements which is graded from group to group is necessary in order to achieve different intensities. The same write amplification for all write amplifiers or drivers can be maintained if the write areas of the individual write elements within a group are the same, but are staggered from group to group. In the case of a colored print or a printout, it can also be taken into account that, for example, a "red" area is much more apparent to the eye than an "blue" area of the same size and appears more intense to the observer. In this case it is advantageous to make the writing surface of the writing element group door the color "blue" larger than the writing surface of the writing element group for the color "red"

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and added the write amplification from group to To stagger the group to a desired writing intensity for burning out the thermal printing paper.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention results can also be derived from claim 5 »By means of these measures, a simple circuit implementation achieve the coding device.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention results from claim 6. This can

z. B. in the case of a color printout by covering the same page of writing elements belonging to two different writing element groups with one Write information create mixed colors, v.'through at the almost unchanged circuitry complexity The number of possible display types is increased considerably.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention also results from claim 7: "With the modification device for the display ^a *" t specified here, the number of possible display types can be increased even further without increasing the number of writing element groups. for example, the intensity of each color can be varied by the modifying device, so that

z. B. the color blue in different tones, such as dark blue, light blue or white blue, "reproduced". This is achieved by using the modification device only every second or third writing element a writing element group with writing information is occupied, so that a lightening effect is produced by thinning out the number of printing points when writing out.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention result

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can thereby from claims 8 to 14. So that advantageous implementation options of the modification device achieve. An advantageous embodiment of the invention also results from the claim 15, especially in connection with the embodiment according to claim l6. This possibility of realizing storage spaces is particularly suitable for the manufacture of the comb recorder in small numbers. The number of writing elements is limited, but can can be increased by providing further additional shift registers.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention results from claim 17 «This embodiment is particularly suitable for echo sounders in which the received Echoes are classified according to echo strength and clearly distinguishable from one another in the echogram should.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention results from claim 18, in particular in connection with claim 19 · Such a read / write memory with Random access can easily be controlled with a microcomputer, which is then used in software the coding of the writing information to be printed is carried out. This read-write memory permits at the same time, in a simple manner, the writing out of further information by means of the thermal printer, such as markings, Grid or the like.

The object on which the invention is based is, in the case of a comb recorder, that described in the preamble of claim 1 named species also by the merlanale in the labeling section of claim 20 solved.

The advantage of this embodiment lies in the essential

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lent j, er less total space required for the writing elements with the same number of different degrees of representation. By switching the write gain the write amplifier connected to the writing elements, preferably by changing the Driver current as. Drivers trained write amplifiers in predetermined levels, can be used with each Writing element each type of representation can be written out. It is not like the previous embodiments of the invention - required for any type of representation to provide a separate group of Schreifoeiementen. If the expression is identical, not only can the number of writing elements can be reduced, but also the arrangement of the writing elements is more dense Pack far easier

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing «, Show it:

Fig = 1 and Fig "2 a block diagram of a thermal printer,

3 and k each show a block diagram of the

Thermal printer according to a second and third embodiment.

The thermal printer to be seen in Fig. 1 and 2 as an example of a comb pen has a plurality of Write or print elements 10, which via write amplifiers 11, which are preferably designed as drivers are each connected to a memory location in which writing or printing information is stored can be. The writing elements 10 are the same in groups, but different from group to group

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Writing intensity divided. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, there are three groups of writing elements IO provided, the writing elements 10 belonging to a group each having the same letter R, B or G, according to the color representation assigned to them, hot, blue or green. The writing elements R or G or B belonging to different groups are arranged adjacent to one another and evenly over the entire recording area of the thermal printer. As a recording medium 12 is used for printing out the thermal printer thermosensitive paper 13, which in the case of a colored printout, e.g. B. three superimposed layers of paint l4 can have, with the topmost color layer blue, the middle color layer green and the lower layer of paint contains red dye. The writing elements burn according to their writing intensity with their writing surfaces a more or less deep part of the paper, so that according to the depth of the The respective layer of paint is exposed.

To graduate the writing intensity of the individual groups, on the one hand the writing surfaces 15 of all writing elements 10 can be made the same size and the write amplification of the write amplifier 11 from group to group be staggered. This is in Fig. 3 by the different size of the write amplifier or driver represented symbolically. Within a group of write elements 10, the assigned write amplifiers 11 equal write gain. On the other hand, the writing surfaces 15 can with the same writing amplification all write amplifiers 11 are made different sizes from group to group, the Writing surfaces I5 within a group of writing elements 10 are each the same size (Fig. 1). In addition, you can stagger from group to group Writing surfaces 15 also the write gain by group can be staggered to form a group. The latter is particular

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] _ "So advantageous because the human eye, the color" red "intense at the same large color space as the color" blue "= appears through a correspondingly large writing surface I5 of belonging to the group B.!

Writing elements 10 and a smaller writing surface 15 of the writing elements belonging to group R 10 an equally high color intensity of blue and red can thus be achieved for the viewer.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage locations into which the writing or printing information can be written are formed by shift register stages. The memory locations that are connected to the same group R, G or B associated write elements are each combined in a shift register 16, 17 and 18. Intermediate memories 19, 20 and 21 are also switched on between the individual shift register stages of shift registers I6-I8 and write amplifiers 11. These buffers 19-21 are only used to accelerate the printing process. With a control command at the store command input 22, the shift register contents of the shift registers I6-I8 are transferred to the corresponding latches or intermediate memories 19-21, so that the shift registers I7-I8 with new Write information can be filled = print elements 10, write amplifier 11, shift registers I6-I8 and buffer 19-21 are preferably arranged on a single chip 23 on which only the store command input -2, a print command input 24, a clock input 25 for the Shift register I6-I8 and a signal input C, D and E for each shift register I6-I8 are brought out. The clock inputs of all shift registers I6-I8 are connected to clock input 25. So are all

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-ιοί control inputs of the driver or write amplifier 11 connected to the storage command input 22. If a control pulse is sent to the store command input 22 given, the write information stored in the memory cells of the intermediate memories 19-21 is provided printed out by means of the writing elements 10.

To assign the writing information accordingly their predetermined type of representation, e.g. a certain color, to the corresponding groups R, B or G of the writing elements 10, a coding device 26 (FIG. 2) is provided. This coding device 26 causes z. B. Write information that should be displayed in the color "red", exclusively in the shift register 16 can be written. Writing information that is shown in "green" is also displayed are to be read into shift register 17 only. The same applies to the type of representation "Blue" and the associated shift register l8.

The coding device 26 has a piece of writing information into a representation type code, e.g. B. in the color code "red", "blue" or "green", converting encoder 27 and a decoder 28 connected to it. The outputs 0, 2, 3 of the decoder 28 are each on one Data input connected, which has storage locations in common with those belonging to the same group R, B or G Writing elements 10 are connected. This data input is taken from the signal inputs C, E, D of the Shift registers l6, l8, 17 formed.

The thermal printer shown in Fig. 1 and 2 is designed for printing echograms from echo sounders, whereby a complete plumb line period should be shown in a single printout. The echoes should according to their echo strength in the expression

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by different display mode, _a% as different colors can be distinguished "To this end, the amplitude of the received echoes with determined amplitude thresholds vex ~ equalized and depending on the size in a specific color code coded. Correspondingly, the encoder 27 is designed as an analog / digital converter (A / D converter) 29, which converts incoming echoes into binary signals via the signal receiving channel 30 of the echo sounder and via the upstream amplifier 31 according to the defined amplitude thresholds. The parallel outputs of the A / D converter 29 are connected to the inputs 2, 2 of the decoder 28.

In the present exemplary embodiment, four amplitude thresholds I to IV are provided, the higher-order amplitude threshold in each case having the higher level. The code for the type of representation and the content of the decoder can be seen in the following table:

Amplitude
threshold Presentation
art Dec
Entrances
2 ° 2 ¹ or
Outputs
0 12 3 I. Light Blue L L L II II H II Blue green L H II L H II III Qr ün II L II II L H IV Red II II H II II L

The output "3" of the decoder 28 is connected via an inverted ^"he t 32 directly connected to the input C of the shift register l6 on which the associated one of the group R write elements are connected 10th Similarly, the output is" 0 "of the decoder 28 for the display type "blue" with the input E of the shift register l8 and the output "2" of the decoder 2o

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according to the assignment of the display type "green" with the signal input D of the shift register 1? tied together. However, since a further type of representation, namely "blue-green" for echo signals which just exceed the amplitude threshold II, is provided, the decoder output ' ¹ I "is via a logic circuit 33 both with the signal input D of the shift register and with the signal input E of the The logic circuit 33 has two OR elements 3'i, 35. The decoder outputs "0" and "1" are each connected to an input of the OR element 3 ^ via an inverter 36, 37, while the Inputs of the oil element .55 the decoder outputs "1" via the inverter 37 and "2" via an inverter 38 are connected .. The outputs of the OR element "} ^l i or 35 are connected to the signal inputs D of the shift register 17 and E of the shift register 18 are connected.

To further increase the number of display types without increasing the number of writing elements 10 required is between the outputs of the OR elements 3 '± i 35 and the signal inputs E and D of the shift register 18 and 17 each have an iiodif ication device 39 or 39 'switched on. The two modification devices 39 j 39 'are constructed identically and are used to change the type of representation, e.g. D. the color, in great intensity to change gradually, so that instead of the color Blue a lighter shade, e.g. B. hellblati achieved will. This is achieved in that in a number of shift register stages of the same shift register 17 or IG, which are with the same group G or B of writing elements 10 are connected, each'-reils one Blank information, which is written in a blank space on the recording medium 12 or Thermal paper 13 leaves behind. Through this Vei-fertilizing the Number of those applied to the recording medium 12

in the original

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A less intense color representation is achieved on the pressure points.

The Moc'if ikationsvorrichtung 39 "woist a 4θ as an AND gate formed gate circuit 4l and the Torsperr- and / or Torö'f fnungszei t-determining control circuit 42. The control circuit 42 consists of a counter 43 _s a programmable read only memory (PROM). 44 and a comparator 45 ₅ whose inputs are respectively connected to the outputs of the counter 43 or "PROM 44 ver." In the PROM 44 the possible modified display modes corresponding digital information is stored ο an example of a possible PROM contents are below PROM table again:

Representational
art address
l ^l 2 « Outputs
Q ₁ Q ₂ Q ₃ Q ₄ . Light Blue
(Light green)
blue
(Green) HL
H II II LL L
LLLL

The comparator 45 now compares the count of the counter 43 with the digital information pending at the outputs of the PROM 44 and, if there is coincidence, generates a gate opening signal which cancels the blocking state of the gate circuit 4l for the duration of a counting pulse of the counter 43. For this purpose, the control input of the gate circuit 4-1, which is an input of the AND gate 4θ, with the Ausgan.-; of the comparator 45, while the other input of the AND gate 40 via a signal input 54 of the modification device 39 _? 39 'is connected to the output of the OR element 35 - in the case of the modification device 39 or of the OR element 34 - in the case of the modification device 39'. The axis response of a talk generator 46 is at the clock input of the counter 43

connected, which is also connected to the clock input A of the shift register I6-I8. Thus, the counting frequency of the counter 43 is equal to the clock frequency of the shift registers l6-l3 and by appropriate determination of the gate opening time of the gate circuit 4l write information can be read into the shift registers 17, l3 with every or only every second or third clock pulse. To reset the counter after the occurrence of a coincidence signal, the output of the! Comparator 45 is connected to the clear input de.'5 counter 43 via a differentiating element 47 via a NOR element '± 3. Via the same NOR element 48, the output of an OR gate 49 is connected to the Clear-Eii gang, the four parallel inputs of which are each connected to one of the decoder outputs "0" to "3" ^{via a Differonzierglicd 50-53 a * i} . The differentiating elements 50-53 are used to reset the counter in the event of a threshold change, ie in the event of a signal change at the outputs of the decoder 28. The address inputs 1 'and 2' of the PROM 44 in the modification device 39 are connected to the output of the OR element 35 or . connected to the output of the inverter 38, while eic corresponding addresses 1 ', 2' of the PROM 44 in the modification device 39 'are connected to the output of the OR element 3'jt and to potential L, respectively. The connections of the address inputs 1 ', 2' result from the above PROII table.

The mode of operation of the structure described above Thermal printer is as follows:

Got to the iiinjranj; of the A / D converter 29 is an echo signal, whose amplitude just exceeds the amplitude threshold I, but not the amplitude threshold Ie II, according to the function table cited first, there is at both inputs of the decoder 28

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the logic state L. This means that the decoder outputs 1-3 each have the logic state II and the output "0" is logic L. An only on the Dc co. the address input 1 'of the PROM 44 in the modification device 39' is thus II and at the other address input 2 'L. According to the last specified P101-1 table, the digital information HLLL is available at the outputs of the PROM 44. With the first clock of the clock generator 46, the 4-bit Yiort LLLL is at the outputs of the counter 43 and with every second clock the i-bit word IILLL aiio With every second Talct, the Iloiaparator 45 will determine coincidence at its inputs and output a coincidence signal at its output. ^{This means that the input of the AND gate!} I0 of the modification device 39 'connected to the output of the comparator 4 "is connected to the logic state II, namely during the duration of a clock pulse of the clock generator 6. Since the other input of the AND gate 4-0 via the signal input 54 of the modification device 39 'also has the logic state H, the AND gate kO is open and write information occurs at the signal input E of the shift register Iu, which is entered into the shift register * the AND gate 4-0 of the coding device 39 'is only open at every second cycle of the clock generator 46, a write information is thus only read with every second clock pulse at the input A of the shift register 18. The read-in frequency is therefore half that as large as the clock frequency of the shift register. Thus, Iode, the second shift register stage is occupied with write information, and the intermediate shift register stage w eis so-called empty information.

If the read-in process is finished and a control pulse is generated placed on the Einspeichex ^ command 22, the entire memory content of the shift register 18 in the

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Buffer 21 accepted. Hit application of a control pulse to the print command input 2 ^ i those write elements 10 of the group IS are acted upon with a write current whose write amplifiers are connected to a memory cell of the intermediate memory 18 which are occupied with a write information. The writing elements 10 of the writing element group B lying in between do not receive any writing current and thus do not leave a pressure point on the paper 13 *. The write intensity is due to the corresponding dimensioning of the write amplifier 11 ozw. Driver, so determined that each activated writing element 10 of the writing element group B Ic only has a paper layer covering the topmost "blue" colored layer in the area of its writing surface 15. The received echo is printed out according to its amplitude evaluation in the color blue, with the fact that only every second writing element 10 of the writing element group B generates a burnout point, the color blue in a lighter shade for the viewer than the color layer "blue" corresponds to appears. The remaining signal inputs C and D of the shift registers 16, 1? do not receive any write information because, on the one hand, the signal input C and, on the other hand, the Aireßeingän- sen 1 ', 2' of the PROM Vl of the modification device each logically L is. The assigned write elements 10 of groups R and B therefore do not receive any write information when they are printed out.

If an echo reaches the input of the A / D converter 29, the amplitude of which also exceeds the amplitude threshold II but not the amplitude threshold III, the A / D converter 29 encodes the binary information JI for the color representation blue-green. This binary information lying at the inputs 2 and 2 of the decoder 28 has the effect that now the decoder output "I ' ¹ logically L

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and all other decoder outputs are 1 »gist. Have state H. This means that both the address inputs 1 ″ and 2 'of the PROM Vi of the modification device 39 and of the modification device 3 ^! .-' have the logic state II and L, respectively. The PROM table again shows that at the outputs of the PROM -Vi in each of the two modification devices 3 ¹ ), 39 'the' 1-bit 'Jort IiLLL is pending. The modification device 39' operates in the same way as described above. The modification device 39 also operates in the same '. Otherwise, only with the difference that the write information appearing at the output de ^ ANL) -Gatteis '± 0 is redeemed via the signal input D in the shift register 17'. In this case, with every second clock pulse of the clock generator 46 so \ Write information is read in each case roughly into the shift register 18 and into the shift register 17. Between two shift register stages occupied by a write register nationality there is always one with an empty piece of information tioi] occupied shift register stage e. When a control pulse is applied to the storage command input 22 and then to the print command input 2k , each friction element 10 in group B and in group G generates a burn-out part on the paper I3. The writing intensity of the writing elements 10 belonging to group G is considerably larger than that of the writing elements 10 belonging to group B. These writing elements 10 therefore produce a deeper burn-out area that passes through the "blue" ink layer and down to the ink layer below "Green" is enough. Since two writing elements 10, which belong to different groups of writing elements, lie close to one another, but one writing element 10 produces a blue spot and the other writing element a green spot, a mixed color blue-green appears to the viewer of the printout. There again in

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each group G or B only every second writing element 10 produces a color spot, this is also blue-green -Display brighter than the color intensity of the two color layers corresponds.

If there is an echo at the input of the A / D converter 29, the amplitude of which is not the amplitude threshold JII but exceeds the amplitude threshold IV, then lies at the input 2 or 2 of the decoder 2t. according to the table given, the logical addition si and H or L.

Of the decoder outputs 0 to 3, only the decoder output 2 has the logic state L, all the others II. The address inputs 1 'and 2 ^{1 of} the PROM 44 of the modification device 39 thus have the logic state II. The modification: device 39' however, it has no effect since the address inputs of the PROM 44 of this Modifilcatioi svorrichtung 39 'are each logically L, but this linear combination is not addressed. From ver PROM table shows that 'it 44 of the modification device 39 now c-as 4-bit word LLLL abuts PROM at the outputs (. The first clock pulse is <clock generator 46 generates at the output of the counter 43 the same 4-bit -liTort LLLL. This means that there is immediately coincidence and the AND gate 40 is opened, since the signal input 54 is also assigned H. With the falling edge of the coincidence signal at the output of the comparator 45, the counter 43 is over the differentiating element 47 and the NOR element 43 are reset to their initial state, so that the next pulse of the clock generator again generates the 4-bit word LLLL at the output of the counter 43. Each clock pulse of the clock generator 46 therefore has coincidence and with each clock pulse At the clock input A of the shift register I6-I8, the write information occurring at the output of the AND gate 40 is transferred to the signal input D via the signal input D.

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Shift register 17 is read while all shift register strips of the two other shift registers 1> and 18 receive empty information. As long as the echo is present at the Α / Ό-vianaler 29 with its amplitude exceeding the atnplitude threshold IEI, write information is entered into the shift register 17 with each cycle. With creating a ;; Control pulse to the store command input 22 or to the print command input 2h , the content of the shift register 17 is transferred to the buffer 20 and then printed out via the write elements 10 of the write element group G produce in the paper 13, w ± ra this echo in Green shown, wherein the green impression of color intensity entspracht having the average color layer Ik.

If there is an echo at the input of the A / D converter 29, the echo amplitude of which also exceeds the amplitude threshold IV, the A / D converter 29 encodes the binary information IH. This means that only the decoder output has the logic state L, all other decoder outputs H. Thus, the write information is only present at the signal input C of the shift register 16 in the logic state H and is entered into successive shift register stages with each clock pulse of the clock generator kG ; n read. After applying a control pulse to the store command input 22 and the print command input 2k , the writing elements 10 of the writing element group R burn corresponding burnout points in the paper 13, the writing intensity being selected so that the burnout points through the upper layer of "blue" paint as well as the middle layer of paint "green" go through and the bottom

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Expose the "red" layer of paint. This echo with the very large amplitude is thus printed out in red.

The above-described mode of operation of the thermal printer can readily be seen that echoes received within a plumb period mi: different Amplitudes when printing out the dead period that occurs when a control pulse is applied to the storage command input 22 and the print command input 2't takes place, with different-in, clearly different types of representation recorded in the example in light blue, blue-green and red, depending on the size of the echo amplitude.

The thermal printer according to a further exemplary embodiment, which is schematically represented in FIG. 3, differs from the one described above in that the memory locations connected to the friction elements 62 are formed by the memory cells of a write / read memory with random access, a so-called RAM 60. The RAM 60 has a memory organization of the number of write times per group R or B bzxir. G corresponding word ei ι with, in each case the number of groups R or 15 or G corresponding bit length. If, for example, 6k write elements are combined in each group R or B or G, the iiAM 60 has a 64 × 3 bit organization. Each memory cell of the RAM 60 has a memory output 0 _Q , 0 _± , O ₂ , O ' _Q , 0' _χ , 0 ¹ ^, ..., 0 * _Q , 0 *, 0 *, which is guided to are each combined to a triple 0 or 0 'or 0 *, each of which has a 3-bit location. Each memory cell is connected to a write element 62 via a write amplifier 61. All control inputs of the write amplifiers G1 or drivers are in turn connected to the Druckbeiehl input 63.

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The writing surface 6k of the writing elements 62 is respectively; formed triangular. Beside one another, the writing surfaces 64 are arranged alternately symmetrically. Different groups R bz *. /. B and G an.gchöri ^ e writing elements 62 are again arranged adjacent to one another. All writing elements 62 are arranged next to one another in a row which is arranged transversely to the displacement direction (arrow LX) of the recording medium 65. The triangular writing surfaces 64 are designed and arranged in such a way that the delimiting edges of adjacent writing surfaces 6'i each extending over to the sliding surface are provided. The design and arrangement of the scrubbing surfaces 6'Ί also enables a very good degree of downturn in the face and prevents, on the other hand, that: - gaps that are too large between the individual pressure points on the recording medium arise, ie «In the recording to clearly recognizable deep lines ii displacement direction (arrow X) of the recording; carrier 65 lead. The writing surfaces 64 of all writing elements 62 are selected to be the same size. Dcazufolg '. The write amplifier - as already explained in the exemplary embodiment for FIGS. 1 and 2 - is the write amplifier 61, which is prebound with writing elements 64 and belongs to the various groups R, B, G:, differently dimensioned. The write gain bzv7 ·. the drive current of the write amplifiers 61 or the drivers connected to the write elements 64 of the group R is greatest. The friction gain of the write amplifiers 61, which are connected to the write elements 62 of group B, is the lowest. The different visual writing amplification of the recording amplifiers 6l is symbolized in FIG. 3 by drivers or writing amplifiers 6l shown in different sizes.

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The preparation of the writing information on, the coding and decoding as well as the filing of the writing information assigned to the various groups of writing elements 10 in the UAM 6θ is eber.so wi **. the printout is expediently controlled by a mokricomputer -> 6. The inputs I_, I, I ₀ dos RAM 60 are connected to the microcomputer 66 via a 3-bit data bus and the addresses A_ to A> les RAM 60 but a 6-bit address bus = both the write arrives via a control bus Command to store the writing information .m HAM 6θ on the latter (input W) as well as a control pulse to the print command input; rank 63 of the writing volume 3'r 6l. A plurality of RAM 60, 60 'can be cascaded via chip-enable or chip-selct lines CS. The structure and mode of operation of the microcomputer is known and is not the subject of the invention, so that a further description of the microcomputer 66 can be dispensed with. In the event that the thermal printer according to FIG If an echo sounder is to be used, an A / D converter 6? is additionally provided, the input of which is usually connected to the signal receiving channel 69 of the echo sounder via an amplifier 68. The A / D converter 67 merely converts the analog signal into a corresponding one Digital signal, whereby the amplitude evaluation described in the example for FIGS. 1 and 2 is also carried out in the microcomputer 66 in comparison with predetermined amplitude thresholds.

Another embodiment of Ivan: aschr eibers, here a thermal printer, Fig. ^ t shows. i-ei this Thermal printers are all writing elements 70 in FIG arranged in a row close together, the is aligned transversely to the displacement direction (Px oil X) of a recording medium 71. The Schxeibflache 72 of all writing elements 70 is designed the same, and although trapezoidal here. Also are the writing surfaces

BATH ORIGINAL

Arranged in such a way that the edges extending transversely to the direction of displacement (arrow X) intersect with each other 72 'of adjacent writing surfaces 70': overlap on the opposite side. Each write element 70 is connected by leather to the output of a write amplifier 73 or driver. The write amplifiers 73 have a write amplification which is different in two stages. However, it is also possible for the write amplifiers 73 to be switchable in several stages of different write amplifiers. The control inputs of the write amplifiers 73 are in turn all connected to the Jruckbefehl input 7 ^: '±' The inputs of the write amplifier are each connected via an intermediate memory 75 to a storage location that can be filled with writing information, which is formed here by the shift register stage cn of a shift register will. The signal input ": 77 of the shift register 76 can be assigned the writing information to be read in <: n for the pressure ο learn en 70 and, if this thermal printer is used for an echo sounder, it is with the echo via an amplifier J Pj Receiving channel 79 of the echo sounder is usually connected to this echo receiving channel 79 with a comparator which only lets through echoes with a minimal amplitude.

In order to connect the write amplifiers 73, they have a step switch input 80. Each Stui'onumsel alt input oO is via a further buffer memory 81 ^; . with a memory cell of a memory o2, which is here as a further ;; Schiebercgistor 83 is formed. A type of representation information can be attached to the signal input 84 of the further shift register 83, e.g. B. a color information "red". If the thermal printer is used as an "echo sounder", the signal input 8 ^l k of the further misalignment

BATH ORIGINAL

j ! IZ ö / i

gisters 83 via a clip circuit 85 with a comparator functions at the output of the amplifier 78 and thus connected to the echo receiving channel 79 d ^ s echo sounder. If the amplitude exceeds one in the echo receiving channel 79 incoming echoes reach the threshold set by clip circuit 85 corresponding signal to the signal output 84 of the further shift register 83. The clock inputs of the both shift registers 76 and 83 s; .nd each on the Output of a clock generator 86 connected. the Transfer of the shift register contents; e of the shift register 76 and 33 in the assigned intermediate memory 75 or oil takes place in turn by a control pulse at the Einspeicherbefelil input 17) with which both buffers 75 and 8l are connected.

Write elements 7O ₅ Schreibverstärl.er 73 · latch 75 and 8l and shift registers 7 and 83 are advantageously placed back onto a single chip 88, wherein lec.iglich the · Druckbef GHL-input 7h, the Eirispeicherl ef EHL input 87 both signal inputs 77 and 8 '. the shift registers 76 and 83 and a clock input 89 common to the two shift registers are brought out. The function of the clock generator 86 can be taken over by the measuring range Zäliltalct already present in the echo sounder when the thermal printer is used in an echo sounder for recording echograms.

The operation of the thermal printer according to Fig. ^L i is as follows:

For example, the first one should arrive in a lot period Echo have such an amplitude that is smaller than that set in the clip circuit 45 Threshold. This signal is - at the same time single -

BATH ORIGINAL

3112371

licit an de; ι Sij-nr.lei: T, '~ anw 77 "dc * .- = .Schiebororristi rs ] · an. ..it je Icra TaIcI deu Taklgejieratoi-.s oi>v;; i.nl: ahs; r in aKi'einajideri'o ifjondra stages -ios SohioberogXF tor κ 7 * -> a writing information read in, however in the same chiebo register levels of the ioliieboregister ■ '.-'; koine Dars i.ellun; .sart information. - The next echo must have an amplitude that is greater than the threshold value set in the clip circuit G. In this case, information is available at both signal signals 77 and o-'j. of the two shift registers yu and o3, which rait every era valet is read in in successive sliding logis tex'-steps, and ir.far as long as vrio turns on the signal at the signal inputs 77 and 84.

After the end of the soldering period, a control pulse is applied to the Einspei cherbefehl input G7 and the contents of the Leiden shift registers jG and 83 in the latches 75 wn-d Ol üi) crnomraen. The next Lotporiocic can begin, and from echo signals gewonnane infor "iatior-ene in the two shift registers 76 and are stored 83 with a control pulse at Druclcbef eh L input ~ ih be in the shift register the two echoes Unlock seeing write informa. ion printed by the associated write elements 70 Those write elements 7O _5, with the S,. are connected chops register stages in which the D .Tickinformationen were abgespeicherc for the first echo of small amplitude, have in this case when printing to a normal write intensity because the Uiitere Stage of the write amplification, the basic stage, the write amplifier 73 is switched on. As will be remembered, no representation type information has been read in synchronously with the reading of the write information for the echo with small amplitude in the associated shift register stages of the shift register 83, since the amplitude of the echo is smaller

BATH ORIGINAL

O II CQ I i

was as the threshold of the clip circuit o'j. These shift register stages are connected to the inputs 80 of those write amplifiers 73, the inputs of which are connected to the shift register stages of the shift register 76 which contain the values for the low amplitude echo. These writing elements 70 are set in their writing intensity by means of the basic level of the write amplification in such a way that they only cover the layer of the recording medium which is above the upper colored layer, e.g. B. blue, lies, burn out and then expose colored areas "blue" in the order of magnitude of their writing laugh 72. The second echo with the larger one. The amplitude is printed out by those writing elements 70 which are connected to the corresponding shifting stages of the shift register 76, Ln wel: he the> 5wreibinf orniat i oneTi for this larger Kc 10 had been read. Since, however, the assigned shift register stages of the further shift register 83 are also assigned a type of display information, there is a write amplifier 73 '-ic with this writing on the stage content inputs 80. ielementen 7 ⁷ O are connected, a switching signal, whereby the write amplification of this write amplifier 73 is switched to the higher level. As a result, the sc. Friction intensity of the screaming element 70, which express the echo with a larger amplitude, is considerably greater. The ο ore eibver strengthen the higher level of .Schreibverstärker 73 is dimensioned so as £ applying a write intensity of the associated write elements ~ 0, which is able to generate einr Ausbrennstelle up to dor unLoren color layer "red". These writing elements 70 thus expose closely related colored areas “red” in the order of magnitude of their writing areas 72. The echo with a larger amplitude is thus visible in red on the echo program.

BATH ORIGINAL

Q -I Λ OQ ^r ? i

With an increase in the number of color shift tones arranged one above the other in the recording medium, increase in the number of interchangeable writing intensity levels in the visual control unit 7 3 and by corresponding x.citcre schioüercg..ster with -vo-rgeordnaton. Klii ^ pschalturi. With a small threshold value, the types of contrast of different echoes can be enlarged as desired according to their strength.

The invention is not limited to those described above Limited execution forms of a thermal printer. So you don't necessarily have to be connected to the thermal printer Color can be printed out. It is also niörüch, with 7s - Applying express it to conventional temperature door sensitive Paper for thermal printers in different .jblack- or gray prints. The higher screaming intensity optiscli creates darker pressure points compared to a greatly reduced writing intensity. The number the type of representation is limited, however, since the The eye is only clearly spaced apart from each other able to distinguish from each other. let it go However, the modification devices described are advantageous insert, with which by suppressing vo.1 write information for every second tind / odor third Schrcibelo: nent clearly lvahrnehr-ibarn Lightening effects can be achieved.

BATH

Claims (1)

PATENTA N SPRUCf IE L camera pens, especially thermal printers, rait one Variety of writing elements that use write amplifiers each with a piece of writing information. storage space are connected, characterized in that the writing elements (10; 62) in Groups (R, B, G) with the same from group to group but divided into different writing intensity are that different groups (R, IJ, G) belong to ;; - ge writing elements (lOj 62) adjacent to each other aj'- are gecsrdnet and that a coding device (26) is provided which assigns the respective writing information according to a predetermined representation; * - · ft, "i. ι . color, in each case memory locations, dj e with the same group (R or D ~ uz .vr. G) associated writing elements (10; 62) are connected » 2. KaiTi-nschreiber according to claim 1, characterized in that that all writing elements (62) have writing surfaces (6'i) of the same size » 3. Comb cutter according to claim 1, characterized in that that the writing elements (10) of each group (R or B or G) have the same shrine areas (15) a \ if and the writing surfaces (15) of the individual groups (R or B or G) are staggered with respect to one another. k. Cain nschreiber characterized denotes overall ² S according to claim 2 or 3 _S, that the associated with a Gnippe (R, B, G) write elements same (62) Sehreibverstärker connected (6l), but having from one group to staggered write-amplification. 5. Comb recorder according to one of claims 1 to k, da- ^ ⁰ characterized in that the coding device (26) : ae 5-3i -.1AP Sh / j ο .23 = 3.1981 BATH ORIGINAL a write information in a representation type code, e.g. B. Color code, converting encoder (27) and a decoder (28) 'connected to it and that outputs (0, 2, 3) of the decoder (28) are each connected to a data input (E or D or C) that shares memory locations, the writing elements (10) belonging to the same group (B or G or R) are connected. 6. Comb recorder according to claim 5i characterized by a logic circuit (33)? the at least one further decoder output (l) with at least two Data inputs (D, E) connects the storage locations that are common, each with different groups (G, B) associated writing elements (ΙΟ) connected are. 7. Comb recorder according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that that at least one data input (D, E) a type of representation, z. B. in their intensity, gradually changing modification device (39, 39 ') is connected upstream, which respectively a number of storage locations that correspond to the write elements belonging to the same group (G or B) (1O) are connected, with a lecture information occupied, wherein the write elements (10th, which are occupied with a memory location are connected, are spatially arranged substantially evenly distributed. 8. array printer according to claim 7 »characterized in that the modification device AND gate (* l0) comprises (39> 39 '), a preferably a trained gate circuit (4l) and the Torsperr- and / or gate opening defining control circuit (k2). 3 Ί "123 7 i 3 - 9. Card recorder according to claim 8, characterized in that the control circuit (42) has a counter (4 ^) and a comparator (45) which compares the counter reading with a digital information corresponding to the modified type of representation, the output of which is connected to the control input of the gate circuit ( 4l), preferably connected to one input of the AND gate (40), to whose input, preferably to the other input of the AND gate ( ¹ IO), write information can be applied and its output, preferably the output of the ÄND gate (40) to which the data input (D, E) is connected «, 10. Comb recorder according to claim 9? characterized, that the memory location read-in frequency is constant and equal to the counting frequency of the counter (43). 11. A comb cutter according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that that the digital information corresponding to the modified types of representation in one programmable read-only memory (PROM 44) are stored and that the comparator (45) on the one hand with the Outputs of the PROM (44) and on the other hand with the outputs of the counter (43) is connected. 12. Comb pen according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized characterized in that the output of the comparator (45) via a differentiator (4?) with the Clear input of the counter (43) is connected. 13. Comb recorder according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that that address inputs (1 ·, 2 ') of the PROM (44) - possibly via the logic circuit (33) - with Outputs (0-2) of the decoder (28) are connected to L. BATH ORIGINAL Lk. Comb recorder according to one of Claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the decoder outputs (0-3) are each connected via a differentiating element (50-53) to one input of an OR gate (k9) , the output of which is connected to C1 ear input of the counter (43) - possibly with the interposition of a NOR gate (k &) - is connected. 15- comb pen according to one of claims 1 to 1 ^, characterized in that the storage locations are formed by shift register stages and that the Storage locations associated with the same group (R or G or B) associated writing elements (10) are, as shift register stages each in one Shift registers (l6 or 1? Or l8) combined are. l6. Combination writer according to claim I5, characterized by dadurcla, that The clock inputs (A) of the individual shift registers (I6-I8) at the output one :? Clock generator (^ 6) are connected at the same time as the Clock input of the counter (% 3) is connected, and that the data inputs, the memory locations are common to those belonging to the same group (R, G, B) Write elements (10) are connected, each from the signal inputs (C, D, E) of the shift register (I6-I8) are formed. 17. Comb pen according to one of claims 5 to l6 for an echo sounder, characterized in that the encoder (26) generates an echo according to fixed · A / D converter (29) which converts amplitude thresholds into binary signals and whose parallel outputs are connected to the inputs (2,2) of the decoder (28). BATH ORIGiMAL ΐ8 »Ka; nmschreiber after one of the Anspi-Uche 1 to 4, c. thereby characterized in that the memory locations from the memory cells of a read / write memory r.iit vahlfreiem Access (RAM 6θ) are formed, which is a memory choir organization on the number of writing people (62) per group (R, B, Gj corresponding l / places with the number of groups (R, B, G) has a corresponding bit length » Combination recorder according to claim Io, characterized in that each memory cell has a memory output (0 _Q , O ₁ , O ₃₅ 0 ' ₀ , 0 ^, 0' ₂ ,.. ", O *, 0%, 0 *) is assigned to each of which a U 1 c * Write element (62) via the associated write amplifier (6l) is connected « 20. Comb recorder according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the write amplifiers (73) are designed to be switchable in at least two levels of different write amplification that at least a memory (82) is provided, the memory cells of which with a Dar Stellungsart- ^ information assignable and each with the step urasehalt input (80) of a write amplifier (73) is, and that in each case a memory cell is assigned to a memory location. 21. Karnmschreiber according to claim 20, characterized in that that the storage locations are formed by shift register stages of a shift register (76) and the memory is designed as a further shift register (83) and that the clock inputs (89) of the shift register (76, 83) assigned the same clock frequency, preferably on the same clock generator (86) are connected. BATH ORIGINAL Ι 22. Comb cutter according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that that the signal input (G4) of the further shift register (83) has a clip holder (85) Comparatorfunlction is connected upstream, the input of which is supplied to the first shift register (76) Write information is verifiable. 23. Comb recorder according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the writing elements (62; 70) are arranged side by side in a row arranged transversely to the displacement direction (arrow X) of a recording medium (65; 71) and that the writing surfaces (64; 72) of the writing elements (62; 70) are designed in such a way that the. Boundary edges (Gk '; 72') of adjacent writing surfaces (64; 72) each overlap. 24. Kamms ehr eib he according to claim 23, dadurcli characterized, that the writing surfaces (64; 72) are triangular or trapezoidal and arranged alternately symmetrically L10. BATH ORIGINAL