GB2096545A - Automatic printer for cheque writing - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic printer for cheque writing comprises a key-board mechanism (10) with a plurality of functional keys including a printing key (14) for inputting data and instructions; a display (20) relative to the functional keys; a cheque feed trough (30) secured to one side of the printer for inserting and withdrawing the cheque therefrom; an adjusting means (31, 32, 33) installed within the printer for adjusting, locating and holding the cheque in proper position for writing; a central processing unit in a single chip disposed in the printer with respect to the functional keys for receiving and generating various functional signals therein; and a step motor (46) coupled with a printing key board (47) and an electromagnetic mechanism (48, 49) for performing the functions directed by the central processing unit. When the desired computation is done on the key-board mechanism (10) and the printing key (14) is pressed, the total amount of money will be automatically printed on the blank cheque. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automatic printer for cheque writing The present invention relates to an automatic printer for cheque writing and more particularly to a novel printer with micro-processing memory system incorporated therein for controlling all the printing operations.

Conventionally, there are two kinds of printer for cheque writing, the manual type and the electric type.

In the operation of the manual printer for cheque writing, all the desired letters and figures have to be typed down one after another on the blank cheque by the person concerned. A slight neglect during typing operation can easily make a mistake on the cheque for which no correcting action can be taken except casting the cheque aside and changing another one. This is the main reason why people would use hand writing rather than typing on the cheque.

As to the electric printer for cheque writing, although automatic operation can be done on the cheque the problem is that it has a bulky size and very complicated structure so that it cannot be widely used in the business field. Besides, it requires specilized people to handle and causes high costs of maintenance.

The present invention provides a novel automatic printer for cheque writing with a simple structure and effective usage, completely eliminating the defects of the conventional printers for cheque writing.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an automatic printer for cheque writing by incorporating micro-processing memory system (an onechip CPU) into a key-board mechanism and matched with a step motor system so that automatic letter setting and printing can be performed simply by inputting data signals and instructions through a functional key thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic printer for cheque writing with an electromagnet coupled with a solenoid system for effecting the printing operation through the controlling signal of the memory system whereby the printed letters and figures are perfectly neat and uniform suitable for computer clearance operations.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an automatic printer for cheque writing with a simple electro-mechanic structure in a compact type not only for saving the working time and man power but also for minimizing the manufacturing costs and promoting the practial usage as well.

The foregoing and other objects as well as the advantage of this invention will be apparent from the following particular description of preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa three-dimensional view of the outer appearance of an automatic printer for cheque writing embodying this invention, Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an electro-printing mechanism of the preferred embodiment according to this invention, and Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the signal transimitting path between a micro-CPU and the printing mechanism ofthe preferred embodiment according to this invention.

Referring to Figure 1, an automatic printer for cheque writing of this invention has a key board mechanism 10forinputting data and instructions with a plurality of functional keys including a number key 11 (from 0 to 9), a decimal-point key 12, an arithmetic key 13 (+, -, x, ., =) for calculating operations, a print key 14 for inputting into a memory system thereof the calculated information for processing and printing out a total key 15for impressing the calculated sum, a clear key 16 for resetting the calculations thereof, etc.; a display 20 for presenting the digits impressed by the keys; an inclined cheque feeding trough 30 secured to one side of the printer for inserting and withdrawing the cheque therefrom; an adjusting lever 31 for fitting the insertion length of the cheque within the printer; a locating arm 32 for pressing the cheque in a certain fixed position; and a vibration isolator 34 for preventing the key-board mechanism 10 from vibratory motion produced by a printer base 40 (see Figure 2).

As shown in Figure 2, the electro-mechanical structure of this invention comprises a printer base 40 for upholding all the mechanism in position; a shaft 41 connected to the printer base 40 at one end through a gear wheel 54 coupled with a driven plate 52, which has a ratchet member 53 on one side and a protruding member 51 on the other side, and is attached to the printer base 40 by a sping (not shown); a paper guide wheel 42 coaxally connected on the shaft 41; a base support 43 being fixed at one end of the printer base 40; a link 44 pivoted on the base support 43 through a pin 431 and being kept in an upward oblique position to the printer base 40 by an elastic means 435; a spring 432 together with a packing piece 433 being coupled with a lower end of the link 44 and secured in position by a nut 434; a driving mechanism 50 being matched with both the link 44 and the shaft 41 by resting its one end on the packing piece 433 and another set on the protruding member 51; an electro-magnet 48 coupled with a solenoid 49 being connected between the link 44 and the base support 43 for attracting down the link 44 when being electrified thereat; a step motor 46 disposed on the link 44 for being actuated by the electrical power supplied from a memory system thereof through a stepping motor buffer (not shown); and a printing key board 47 being connected to the step motor 46 through a motor shaft thereof.

Referring to Figure 3, the innermost part of this invention is a micro-processing memory system which comrises an one-chip CPU, a 2048-byte ROM, a 64-byte RAM and an access means with thirty-two (32) bidirectional I/O lines, including a steppingmotor buffer and a stamping solenoid buffer. All the operations and movements of the mechanisms of this printer are under the control of this microprocessing memory system.

Referring to Figure 2 again, when the link 44 is attracted down by the electromagnet 48, the lower end of the link 44 will lift causing the driving mechanism 50 to elevate upward so that one of the end of the driving mechanism 50 engaged with the protruding member 51 will drive the driven plate 52 to make a turn. As the driven plate 52 is meshed with the gear wheel 54 and secured on the shaft 41, its turning will make the paper guide wheel 42 connected coaxialiy on the shaft 41 rotate an arc thereabout, whereby the paper being pressed down under the paper guide wheel 42 will be moved one space forward for receiving the printing operation to be effected by the printing key board 47.

In cheque writing, after the calculation is done and shown on the display 20, by pressing the print key 14, the displayed information will be fed into the micro-processing system for digit position identification, and then, an output signal of the most signifi cant figure such as "ONE", "TWO", "THREE", ... etc.

or Arabic figures, or other kind of figures and letters from the memory system will be impressed on the stepping-motor buffer for actuating the step motor 46 in turning the printing key board 47 until the letter set thereof being rotated to the right position before discontinuing the turning of the step motor 46, and then, another signal from the memory system will be fed to the stamping solenoid buffer so as to energize the solenoid 49 and the electromagnet 48 for attracting down the link 44, whereby the preset letter on the printing key board 47 will print the first letter or figure on the cheque thereof.Following the same operational steps, the second, third, fourth, ... figures will be printed down on the cheque one after another until a signal of other nature such as "not (for New Taiwan dollar), "HK" (for Hong Kong dollar), "US", "DM " D, etc. is fed to the stepping motor buffer so as to set the printing key board 47 in right position for printing operation, which is accomplished by the attracting down of the link 44 as mentioned above.

All figures after the decimal point will be printed on the cheque thereof following the same operational sequence as that of the integral figures being printed on the cheque.

For example, when the figures 123000 + 456.78 are typed on the key-board mechanism 10 (referring to Figure 1), by pressing the print key 14, the total figure 123456.78 will be shown on the display 20 while the "The sum of 123456 FF 78"will be printed on the amount column of the cheque thereof.

If different monetary unit or letters in different country is required, the only modification needed is to change the letter style on the printing key board 47, and the automatic printing operation for check writing is done all the same.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principle of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to and fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims (2)

1. An automatic printer for cheque writing comprising: a key-board mechanism with a plurality of functional keys for inputting data and instructions; a display installed on said key-board mechanism with respect to said functional keys; a cheque inserting and withdrawing device matched with holding and adjusting means being coupled with said key-board mechanism; a printer base for upholding said key-board mechanism in position and providing operation spaces therein; a shaft coupled with paper guide wheels and driven plate being installed on said printer base for holding and moving a cheque; a base support fixed on said printer base; a link pivoted on said base support and being kept in an oblique position; means coupled with said link and said shaft for making a turning movement in conjunction with said link; ; means loosely coupled between said link and said printer base for controlling the up-and-down movement of said link through the enabling and disabling of the means a step motor disposed on said link for providing required turning movement; a printing key board connected to said link through said step motor; and a micro-processing memory system having a one-piece CPU, an ROM, an RAM, and access means being disposed therein with respect to said functional keys for controlling all the operations and movements of said printing key board and said link, whereby, during cheque writing operation, letters and figures can be printed in order on the cheque thereof according to the amount of money displayed in inputted by said key-board mechanism.

2. An automatic printer for cheque writing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompnying drawings.