FR2573010A1 - System with multiple printing blocks increasing the striking capacity or the number of characters used on any printing-block printer - Google Patents

Abstract

Adding a second printing block to any printer of a text-processing machine or of a computer output under the control of a time divider unit, using asymmetric cassettes according to the blocks and identifying the writing support used make it possible: - either to program the automatic use of a plurality of types of characters and to provide for the use of these on the display screen; - or to double the striking speed by distributing each writing line between the two printing blocks; - or to print simultaneously as many texts as there are printing blocks on the same printer (either the same text or different texts).

Description

MULTIPLE PRINTING BLOCK SYSTEM
INCREASING
HITTING CAPACITY
OR
THE NUMBER OF CHARACTERS USED
SURE
ANY PRINTER
A PRINT BLOCK
*
Traditionally printers of word processing machine, computer output or telex, use a system comprising a single printing block under the control of a word processing block. Therefore, on the one hand, the typing speed is limited by the mechanical capacities of the printer, and, on the other hand, it is not possible to program in the memory of the machine the character chosen for printing. and automatically obtain the desired character changes. In the case of text requiring different characters (which themselves require different spacing in steps of 10, 12, 15 or in proportional steps: P .5.), the typing of a page can become very difficult and errors can occur.

 The principle of the invention described is very simple. It can be applied to any sphere, "Marguerite", needle, laser, thermal transfer printer, or fitted with any other typing system comprising a printing block moving the punch point relative to the sheet. on the printing roller.

 The system described makes it possible to avoid errors in choosing the corresponding character or "step", or to double the typing speed (which is currently very expensive).

 We will take as an example its application on a word processor at "Marguerite". The model chosen includes a printing roller 47 cm wide.

for moving the striking block. The useful space is 38 cms. The width of the striking block is 16 cms. An 8 cm side guard must therefore be preserved to the right and to the left of the striking point in the center of the block. A standard page of typewriter paper, of international standard size, is 21 cms. The usual width of a line of text specified on this model is 16 cms.

 The principle described consists in doubling the striking block with a second block working simultaneously.

 The second typing block, warns on the far right of the keyboard: this leaves a usable space of (38 cms - 16/2 cms =) 30 centimeters, that is to say a width sufficient for a sheet of paper. international format.

 1 / The word processing memory block, or the computer memory block will be modified to give the orders necessary for the simultaneous or successive use of the two typing blocks. A part-time divider at the output of the memory block will ensure the distribution of strike orders between the various strike blocks.

 2 / The entry in the memory block will be done by the usual keyboard which will allow the "control of the signals necessary for the memory of the typing orders. These orders will normally be transferred on the discs which will keep the texts to be typed. However a "additional control will allow when typing (or when using the memory disk on another compatible machine, of the same type or of a different type, but having only one typing block,) to use the text directly memorized: the character change orders will then take the value of a "STOP" allowing the user to manually change the character as is the rule for this type of machine.

 3 / The output of the memory block to the printer will be ensured by a part-time divider system which will distribute the text taken in processing between the different typing blocks, and this according to the line length and the specification previously decided - and fixed.

 4 / The printer could be of standard model but will have 2 or "N" typing blocks. The model chosen for the description of our system will only have two due to the width of the keyboard. It is enough to increase this width by 17 cms. to allow the use of an additional striking block. So a special model with a 84 cm wide keyboard can use 4 typing blocks.

 5 / The distribution of typing orders and the text being processed can be done in two ways, either simultaneously or successively, and this whatever the number "N" of typing blocks, but subject to an analyzed line length and specified sufficient.

Consequently two main modes of use are thus made possible:
1 / The typing speed is multiplied by "N", and this can be obtained either by multiplying by "N" the typing speed for the same text, or by multiplying by "N" the number of sheets simultaneously printed (either each with the same text, either each with a text - different). In practice for the simplest model, the typing speed is therefore doubled.

 2 / The number of characters used automatically by the machine, and without user intervention during typing, is multiplied by "N". Again the simplest model will allow the automatic use of two different types of characters.

INCREASED HITTING CAPACITY,
The typing speed of any printer is limited not by the word processor, but by the mechanical conditions necessary for printing the text. The essential principle of the present invention consists in using a part-time divider block and in multiplying under its control the number of keystrokes to obtain either the typing of the text by several blocks simultaneously, or the simultaneous typing of several texts, or the typing of a single text at usual speed but with the possibility then of using several types of characters automatically, therefore without loss of time and without error either in the choice of the character, or in the spacing having to correspond to it.

 The word processing block, after having checked that the length of the typing line stored is equal to or greater than the width of a typing block, will distribute the text of each line between the two typing blocks (or between "N" blocks) for lines equal to or greater than 2 (or "N") times the width of the block. These will print their share of text simultaneously and in parallel (i.e. with the 1 / n time delay necessary for the distribution of orders by the part-time divider). The first typing block will ensure the typing of the first half of each line (to the middle of the line), while the second half of the line will be simultaneously printed from left to right from the middle of the line to the specification margin at the right end of the same line. The two blocks will then descend by a line spacing and, according to an already existing typing mode, will print the next line back, that is from right to left; otherwise they may return to the line normally and execute the rest of the strike as above, from left to right. In addition, the two blocks will use "daisies" with the same characters (or any other striking system for models not using daisies). The display screen will indicate on a differentiated line of the text the printing mode chosen and the character chosen, as well as, possibly, the character in place on the machine. For this purpose the "daisies" of different characters will include a mark allowing this automatic identification by the memory block and its display on the screen.

 Once the text has been stored, the user can, if he wishes, modify the length of the lines, the type of characters used, the corresponding spacing chosen, in this case the text processing block will immediately analyze whether the new specification remains compatible with the simultaneous use of the different keystrokes, or if there is a need to modify the orders received in the memory block; the possible solutions will be simultaneously displayed on the screen and indicated by a flashing light point or by a repetitive sound signal, so that the user can introduce the modifications necessary for printing.

Finally, instead of increasing the typing speed on a single text, it will be possible to increase the number of texts printed by controlling a special order entered in the memory block. In this case it will be possible to print simultaneously "N" pages of the same text, or different texts printed by each of the blocks. For this purpose the mobile guides (figure 1: E & E ') located on the bodywork and corresponding to the left margin of the different sheets of paper (L) used, will be connected to the memory block by a position tracking system which will include the means for transmitting the detected information to the positioning of the paper: the memory block will thus be able to ensure and adapt the layout of the processed text in relation to the positioning of each sheet of paper used (see Figure 3, E, E '& E ";
A, B &C; L).

 USE OF DIFFERENT CHARACTERS.

The implementation of different character systems on the two or the "N" typing blocks will allow printing of text with different characters. The number of characters automatically used by the printer will be 2 or "N" types depending on the model. On printers with a large carriage it will be possible to put 3, 4 or even "N" typing blocks. In this case, the chosen spacing mode and the type of character used will be determined when the text is stored, and automatically checked by the specification. It will be possible to modify the types of characters chosen. The table will indeed indicate the type of character required on the different typing blocks, by the text used. On the same disc, it will however be possible to change "Daisies" and use a number of "Daisies" greater than " N ", but in this case the typing of the text will stop from the moment when this modification has been introduced, and the screen will then display what type of writing must be implemented and on which block; the following text may appear on the screen:
"be careful, you have to replace a 20 block
"Marguerite""lettergothic" with a "Marguerite""symbols
mathematics "which will become necessary in -" 10 "- lines."
The number of lines indicated (- "10" -) will automatically become - "9" -, then - "8" -... etc, as the typing advances and approaches the "STOP" which will intervene if the change of "Marguerite" did not take place in time. In addition, as long as the correction required by changing "Marguerite" or by modifying the memorized program has not taken place, the printer will be blocked.

 The changes of step (P.S., step 10, step 12, step 15), or the line spacing changes will be automatically programmed by the storage of a recorded disc to obtain the automatic typing of a text with change of character. Again, the discs thus obtained must remain compatible without prior modifications on standard machines of the same models which will not include the automatic change of "Marguerite", of steps or of line spacing. If necessary this can be obtained by the possibility of recording on the memory block of the machine a disk comprising these indications, of giving a specific erasure order of the signals corresponding to this type of processing, these then being automatically transformed into "STOP" to allow manual modification of the type of character, step or line spacing on standard type machines. The corresponding signals will be made compatible with the machines used in the printing press.

When a user intervention must take place, as provided above, the screen will display the necessary indications, and a sound signal will signal it immediately, which will be repeated with each new line of text, and will be doubled by the appearance a flashing light signal on the screen. If it is then necessary to open the cover of the printer to carry out the intervention indicated (for example to change "Marguerite"), this can be done without causing the printing of the text to stop (as this normally occurs when you open the cover while printing text.)
In case a sheet of paper the width of the roll is used and the printing of lines of a length greater than the space can be used with two different types of characters, (and therefore by successive and not simultaneous use of the two typing blocks), the programming on the keyboard of a line length greater than the typing capacity of the first block (which cannot under these conditions perform the requested work), would be immediately displayed on the screen:
"Attention line above" X "signs in spacing" y ":
you are no longer able to use automatically
two types of writing until you have chosen
and placed on the striking blocks of identical Daisies ".

 An audible "TOP" and a flashing light will signal this message to the user because the printing of the text will be impossible until identical "Daisies" have been put in place on all the typing blocks.

 The orders necessary for these various uses will obviously be programmed in the word processing block.

In addition, it will be necessary for the elements bearing the characters (such as the "Daisies" in the example chosen in this text) to be marked by identifiable marks by the typing block (see Figure 6). Thus the daisies will bear 4 marks (P - Q - R - S) framing their fixing system. These marks will be either in hump (T), or in hollow (V), or flat (W). A thin sliding metal rod (X) placed in the striking block facing the marks, and kept under tension by a spring
YY), will adapt to the shape of the mark, recognizing this shape by the displacement of the metal rod. A transmission system will ensure the transmission of the information of this positioning from the printing block to the memory block. The latter will in turn transmit, and by a similar system, to the display screen the orders necessary to display the "Marguerite" model placed - on the printing block. The 3 possibilities of each of the 4 marks (in hump, hollow or flat), will therefore make it possible to differentiate 81 "Daisies" (or systems carrying characters of different writings.

CONCLUDED
In conclusion, it should be noted that the three essential characteristics of the system described are those which allow:
1/1 increase in printing speed, -
2 / the simultaneous printing of several texts,
3 / the automatic use of several types of characters.

 The other modifications indicated, in particular at the level of the word processing block, are complementary, and not necessary, and, from case to case, modifications can be made to these. They will also be carried out subject to compliance with all existing patents and necessary for their application (such as, for example, the use of a part-time dispatcher, automatic return typing, or two-character "Marguerite").

The characteristic feature of this patent therefore resides in the installation and the simultaneous or deferred use of two or more printing blocks by any printer using printing blocks printing the characters on a printing sheet which is relatively motionless relative to the printing point, it
moving along the line being printed.

This principle currently adapts equally well to
spherical, daisy, needle, laser printers
than thermal, magnetic or other systems therefore
that they move the printing point relative to the sheet
paper or print media.

This system therefore allows:
- either to increase the typing speed,
- either to program and use different characters,
- either to print the same text in several copies,
- or to print several different texts simultaneously.

FIGURES
it is attached in annex 6 figures:
Figure 1: Figure showing a two-block printer
delayed hit printing position and
synchronous, of the same line on a single sheet
of paper, each printhead ensuring
half of each line, which doubles
typing speed. References of figure 1
represent respectively:
A First strike block at "Marguerite";
A 'Guard position of the first striking block;
B Second hitting block at "Marguerite";
B 'Guard position of the second striking block;
D Printing roller;
E Paper alignment guide with correction
automatic left margin
for the first striking block;
E 'Idem. for the second hitting block;
F Standard 38 cm keyboard.

useful space;
G Control key;
H Power supply;
I Part-time divider block;
J Word processor memory block;
K Mini-disk storage block;
L Standard sheet of paper 21 / 28.5;
M Word processing machine safe;
N Hatch block access hatch (see fig. 5);
N 'Access hatch to the "Marguerite" on the left;
N "Access hatch to the" Marguerite "on the right.

) r "*
Figure 2: Printer figure also with two
printing blocks but with different characters, one
block printing part of the text while
the other block remains on hold and ready to print the
parts of the text that require a character
different. The references of this figure are the
same as for the previous figure.

Figure 3: Figure showing a three block printer
printing in simultaneous typing position on
three different sheets of paper, either with the
same text, either with different texts under
control of a time divider block. The
references in this figure are identical to
previous but include in addition and
respectively:
C Third hitting block at "Marguerite";
E "Alignment guide with automatic correction
left margin
for the third strike block.

Figure 4: Figure of ribbon cassettes as it is necessary
to clarify that the ribbon cassettes must be
modified to suit printing blocks
and allow the space left between the points
printing of the two working blocks
simultaneously on the same line is minimum. AT
this effect on the one hand the cassettes of the blocks of
right (CAS. D.) will be reversed from
to the cassettes of the left blocks (CAS.G.), and
their unfolding will be from right to left, the
distance from the striking point to the outer limit of the
case will thus be 52 mm. on the model
standard used as an example; these provisions
will place the two left cassettes and
right on the blocks corresponding to their use, and
to put these on the left respectively
and to the right while leaving maximum space
for the current strike. And on the other hand the point
(FR) of each cassette will be located at
-the far right of the case for cassettes
left, and at the far left of the case for
straight cassettes so as to get a space
minimum between them when they all work
two simultaneously on the same line.

Figure 5: The hood (N) of the bodywork (M) opens
laterally to the left (N ') and to the right (N "
above the cassette guard positions
A ', B'), so that these are
independently accessible from one another and
can be changed while typing.

The opening of these accesses to cassettes does not stop
not automatic typing as does
opening the main cover.

Figure 6: Each element carrying characters (as here
a "Marguerite") is marked by landmarks
(P, Q, R, S,) identifiable by the striking block
so that the placement of this element
be immediately identified by the block of
word processor and displayed on the screen of
CO display). So the "Marguerite" can
carry 4 or 5 marks which can either be
bump (T), either hollow (V), or absent
W) ie flat. The hitting block reads
these marks, for example by a thin rod
metallic (X) that a bump (T) repels slightly, that a hollow (V) lets slightly protrude, while the absence (W) of bump or hollow leaves it flush with the "Marguerite". CY) pushes the metal rod against the corresponding mark. So the locator rod
XX) can give either 2 or 3 different pieces of information to the word processor, depending on whether or not the "flat" position is used. For 4 locations around the fixing of the "Marguerite" (U), we can therefore obtain either (24 =) 16, scit (34 =) 81 different possibilities of locating "Daisies". Thus the word processing block (J) can know which characters carry the "Daisies" that are in place, and its program may therefore allow it to then ~ decide to stop typing if, for example, the two "Daisies" identical necessary for an accelerated strike are not in place, or if, for a strike with different characters, the pre-selected "Daisies" have not been laid. In all these cases the screen will automatically display in a corner or at its lower part (possibly on a bandwidth) the type of characters set up, and will give, if necessary, the instructions necessary to change the " Marguerite "their correspondent by a" Marguerite "appropriate to the program introduced in the memory pad.

Claims (1)

First claim:  Printer or word processor or machine  writing type "block printing" (Figure 1 / A & BR <  B), i.e. moving the printing point of the  characters parallel to the carrier roller (1 / D) of  the print sheet (1 / L), which remains  relatively immobile compared to the "block  printing ", and characterized in that it comprises  minus 2 printing blocks (1 / A & B) working from  synchronously either simultaneously or in time  deferred, either successively and under the control of a block  part-time divider (1 / I) integrated or not in  the word processing block (1 / J). Second claim:  Machine according to the first claim and characterized by  the presence of a detection means, for example of  thin mobile metal rods (Figure 6 / X) located  at the print block (Figure 6 / A, B or  C), and corresponding to raised landmarks (6 / P,  Q, R, or S) for example in boss (6 / T) or  hollow (6 / V) or absent (6 / W), placed on the  "Marguerite" (Figure 6) or on the system carrying the  characters. Third claim:  Machine according to the first claim and characterized in  what boxes of usable ribbons are asymmetrical  (Figure 4 / CAS.D. & CAS.G.), the boxes for the  printing blocks warned right on the machine  being inverse boxes for printing blocks set  keep to the left so that the points  corresponding key (4 / FR) are located  respectively the leftmost (4 / FR 1) and the most  on the right (4 / FR 2) possible blocks so as not to  leave a minimum space between the two blocks  operating in simultaneous strike but in delayed time  (Figure 1 / A & B). Fourth claim:  Machine according to the first claim and characterized in  what the movable guides located on the body and  corresponding to the left margin of the sheets of paper  used (Figure 3 E, E '& E ") are connected to a  position tracking system comprising the means  transmission of their information to the memory block for  ensure adaptation in the memory block of the  positioning of the left and right margins of the text. Fifth claim:  Machine according to first and second claims, and  characterized by a block transmission system  memory block and from this to the screen of  display (Figure 1/0) for 1 display on this  screen of the type of character programmed or used.