US3814011A - System for advancing a writing head for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

For recording characters on a fixed recording medium, a printer writing head is advanced on a step by step basis by a pulse motor used as a driving means. A writing means mounted on the writing head is energized for recording when the writing head is at rest. Alternatively, the writing means on the writing head is energized for recording when the writing head is advanced by the pulse motor. Further, recording of the characters is made in recording fields or columns in accordance with a predetermined tabulation form, which can be changed, during either of the energized and deenergized periods of the pulse motor. In case that recording is performed in accordance with the established tabulation form when the writing head is advanced, a flywheel is preferably associated with a power transmission mechanism such as a shaft disposed between the pulse motor and the writing head to render the flywheel effect to the movement of the writing head to facilitate the tabulating function.

Description

United States Patent 1191.

Kashio SYSTEM FOR ADVANCING A WRITING HEAD FOR PRINTER [75] lnventor: Toshio Kashio, Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Casio Computer Kabushiki Kaisha,

Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 247,215

. Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. Nb. 11,486, Feb. 16, 1970.

[52] US. Cl. 101/93 C, 197/] R [51] Int. Cl B4lj 27/00 [58] Field of Search 101/93 C; 197/48, 49, 82,

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,292,530 12/1966 Martinm. 197/1 3,303,775 2/1967 Giannuzzi 101/93 C 3,308,917 3/1967 Stabenau et al.; 197/48 3,366,214 l/l968 Tutert et 101/93 C 3,428,793 2/1969 Scuitto t 235/160 3,463,081

Levine lml 101/93 C 2 3 COUNTER 1 June 4, 1974 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-R. T. Rader Attorney, Agent, or FirmShapiro and Shapiro 5 7] ABSTRACT For recording characters on a fixed recording meaccordance with a predetermined tabulation form,

which can be changed, during either of the energized v and deenergized periods of the pulse motor. In case that recording is performed in accordance with the established tabulation form when the writing head is advanced, a flywheel is preferably associated with a Power transmission mechanism such as a shaft disposedf between the pulse motor and the writing head to render the flywheel effect to the movement of the writing head to facilitate the tabulating function.

'6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures SIGNAL GENERATOR DECODER READ-OUT CIRCUIT REGISTER PATEmEnJun 41914 3;814',011

PAINTED-1111141974 3.814.011

' SHEET! 0? 5 FIG. 4

FIG. 4B

" I L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 0000 OOO'O O00 000 ammibaun 4 m4 3 Q 8 14.01 1

sum u or 5 FIG. 7

- Azl FFzz , 1 I a SYSTEM FOR ADVANCING A WRITING HEAD FOR PRINTER This isa continuation of US. Pat application Ser. No. 11,486, filed Feb. 16, 1970 now abandoned. 1

The present invention relates generally to a system for advancing a writing head for a printer and more particularly to a system for advancing a writing head for apparatus for recording characters or indicia upon a recording medium under the control of an electronic device.

Various recording devices are used as output devices of computers. One kind of recording device is such that there is a relative movement between a writinghead and a recording medium while recording characters or indicia one .by one. Recording devices of this kind which are generally called printers, are classified into three types: the first type is such that a platen carrying a recording medium is moved; the second type is such that aplurality of writing or recording heads are arranged in opposed relation with a recording medium which is held in stationary position to'record desired characters or indicia upon the recording medium by means of said recording or writing heads; and the third type is such that a single writing head is sequentially advanced relative to a recording medium held in stationary position to record the characters. or indicia. The first type of vdeviceimposes certain limitations on the power means for driving the platen, because it has many mechanical-movable elements which are relatively heavy in weight. in the second type, the control system is much complicated and is very expensive. The third type to which the present invention can be advantageously applied, shares the advantages of the former two types.

There have been proposed a wide variety of electronic and mechanical recording systems in which a rer cording head is advanced in the recording or lateral direction with respect to the recording medium for recording or writing. As atypical system, the so-called ink jet printer is example in which charged ink is ejected electrostatically. The present invention can be effectively. realized in such a system; However, vit should be noted that the present invention is not limited to such system In a system in accordance with the present invention, a pulse motor is used as means for driving a writing head. As is well known. in the art, the pulse motor operates in stepwise fashion so that the control system for driving the writing head may become simple in construction and inexpensive. Furthermore, the ink jet type writing head is different from a mechanical recording device utilizing a type wheel in that the writing head is very compact in si zeand light in weight so .that it may be effectively driven by the pulse motor whose driving torque is generally small, whereby the characteristics of the pulse motor may be utilized to their full extent.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a system in which a writing head of a printer or the like is driven by a pulse motor so that writing operation is performed insynchronism with the rotation of the pulse motor, thereby improvingthe writing perform-:

ance. v

Another'object of the present invention is to provide a system for advancing a writing head in which writing means incorporated in the writing head is energized when the pulse motor is actuated so that each of the characters or indicia can be recorded when .the writing head is advanced, thereby attaining high speed writing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for advancing a writinghead in which the recording means incorporated in the writing head is energized when a pulse motor is de-energized so that the characters or indicia can be recorded one by one when the writing head is at rest, thereby simplifying a writing control mechanism in structure and eliminating the dis-- tortion or deformation of the recorded characters, or

indicia.

in recording, the data derived from an electronic computer is generally recorded in two forms upon a recording medium. One is such that the data are recorded upon a rolled paper in one recording field or column, and the other is such that the data are recorded in a plurality of recording fields or columns of a relatively wide paper sheet o'rthe like sucha bills, registers, etc. Hitherto, special recording devices have been used for different recording forms. The tabulating machines which are speciall'ydesigned forthe later form are generally complicated in both of construction and operation. The program applied to the tabulating machine must be modified whenever other tabulation forms are used, and the use of such recording machines is limited to the special purpose such as preparation of bills. Therefore the recording devices which record the data on the former basis rather than. the latter basis and which are simple in construction have been widely used.

-A still further object of the present invention is therefore to provide a system for advancing a writing head which is provided with a control circuit for generating one or a plurality of repetitive pulses for driving'a pulse motor and a recording starting pulse in accordance with a predetermined tabulation form, whereby one or more of the recording fields may be arbitarily established and changed in accordance with the selected tabulation form.

A yet another object of the presentinvention is 'to provide asystem for advancing a writing head in which in order to record and simultaneously tabulate the data at high speed according to the selected tabulation form, the characters orindicia may be recorded one by one during the energized period of the pulse motor by energizing recording means of the writing head-while the writing head isadvanced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for advancing a writing head in which in order to record and tabulate thedata in accordance with the selected tabulation form and on the other hand, to eliminate the distortionof the recorded characters the recording means-incorporated in the writing head is energized when a pulse motor isde-energizedso that the characters are recorded in the recording medium one by one while the writing head is held stationary.

A still further object of the presentinvention is to provide a system for advancing a writing head in which wise rotation of a pulse motor so that each recording or writing period may be accurately defined.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fact that the writing time can be accurately defined, the writing can be accomplished at the time when the writing head is advanced so that the writing speed can be improved.

According to another aspect of the present invention, recording or writing can be accomplished at the time when the writing head is stopped so that the characters having no stroke distortion can be recorded without the use of means for compensating for the distortion of recorded characters or indicia.

According another aspect of the present invention, the system of the present invention can be used not only in a recording form in which the data are recorded in a single field but also in a recording form in which the data are recorded in a plurality of established fields and both of the recording forms are capable of being selectively changed so that the system of the present invention has wide flexibility as output equipment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, recording or writing can be made when the writing head is advanced and a desired tabulation form may be arbitarily established and selected, thereby facilitating the high speed tabulation of the recording data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, recording or writing is made when the writing head is at rest and a desired tabulation form may be aribitarily selected thereby facilitating the tabulation of the data with the characters having no distortion at all.

According to another aspect of the present invention,

a flywheel is associated with a power transmission mechanism between the writing head and a pulsemotor so that the movement of the writing head can be smoothed during the recording of the characters within each recording field and the tabulation is much facilitated by making full use of the features of the pulse motor.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of one illustrative embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system for advancing a writing head in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) comprise a timing chart illustrating the timing signals for effecting the operation of the writing head and for driving the pulse motor used in the system of the present invention;

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) comprise a timing chart similar to the timing chart of FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) illustrating another example of the timing signals;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory views illustrating the recording forms upon a recording medium, the data being recorded in one field in FIG. 4A while the data being recorded-in a plurality of fields in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5 is a block'diagram of one embodiment of a system-for advancing a writing head in accordance with the present invention;

. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a counter shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a preset counter shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram partly in block diagram of a unit for reading out the content of an output register,

decoding the same and generating control signals for writing.

Referring to FIG. 1, a writing head 10 is carried by a wire 13 wrapped over pulleys 11 and 12 and may be moved from one end of a recording medium (not shown) to the other end thereof. Upon reaching the other end of the recording medium, the writing head 10 is immediately returned to its initial position (said one end). The writing head 10 in the instant embodiment is driven by a pulse motor 14 through a suitable power transmission mechanism such as gear train (not shown).

The pulse motor used in the illustrated embodiment is, for example, a PM type (permanent magnet rotor) motor in which a rotor has permanent magnets and a stator has windings for attracting and repelling the magnets on the rotor by electromagnetic force established. A typical pulse motor of this, type has four phases and is excited on the two-phase basis with 7.5 degree per one step, that is, 48 steps every rotation. Such a pulse motor has maximum braking torque of more than 190 gcm and maximum driving torque of more than 35 gcm.

The information read out from an output register 16 incorporated in a computer 15 is applied to the writing head 10 as set forth hereinafter. The read out of the information is made by opening an AND gate 17 by a signal T and in synchronism with this signal a timing signal T is applied to the pulse motor 14 to drive it. The signal for returning the writing head 10 to its initial position by reversing the pulse motor 14 is applied to a terminal RT. Because of the signal having a high repetitive rate the pulse motor 14 can return the writing head '10 at a speed higher than that at which the writing head 10 is advanced toward the other end of the recording medium. Referring to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(1)) illustrating the waveforms of the timing signals T and T used in the instant embodiment, the writing head 10 is energized by the timing signal T as shown in FIG. 2(a) while the pulse motor 14 is energized by the timing signal T as shown in FIG. 2(b). As seen from FIGS. 2(a) and 2(1)), both of the timing signals T and T have the same frequency, but they are out of phase. At the time the writing head starts to write a character or the like and at the time t the writing is completed. At the time t the pulse motor 14 is started and at the time t it is stopped. In' the instant embodiment, this timing cycle is is repeated.

As seen from FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the writing is effected when the writing head 10 is, at rest and upon completion of this writing the pulse motor 14 is started. Assuming that the writing head 10 is at its initial position by virtue of the return signal from the terminal RT, then at the time t, of the timing signal T the information derived from the computer is applied to the writing head 10 through the AND gate 17 so that the first writing is started. Upon completion of this writing, the timing signal T is applied to the pulse motor 14-50 that the writing head 10 is advanced to a predetermined position (the-next digit) and stopped. The above described operation is cycled in thesame manner when the sec- 0nd writing is made'andsoon.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention makes full use of the feature of a pulse motor so that the writing head may write the characters'when the pulse motor is at the rest portion of its stepping motion.

However, in a system in which a driving source such as the conventional induction motor is continuously operated, it is necessary that the continuous movement of the writing head be in accurate synchronism with the writing operation thereof, so that the control system becomes much more complicated. In the system in accordance with the present invention, the writing head is advanced step-by-step as described hereinabove so that without use of a control system each character may be accurately defined. It will be readily seen that it is not essential to write each character when the writing head is at rest; the writing can be made even when the writing head is being advanced. This mode of operation will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) hereinafter. FIGS. 3(a) and 3(1)) illustrate the timing signals T, and T for writing when the writing head is advanced. Both the writing and advancing of the writing head 10 are simultaneously started by the timing signals T, and T (see FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) respectively) at the time t,. The writing is completed at the time of the timing signal T,, while the pulse motor 14 is driven until the time t, of the timing signal T and the advancement of the writing head vl0 is stopped at the time t,,. This means that writing is made while the writing head is advanced. The relation between the timing signals T, and T described hereinabove is only one example, and it will be understood that other suitable timing relations may be employed in the present invention.

' In the system in accordance with the present invention employing a pulse motor as a driving means of the writing head, there is a sigificant advantage in that recording forms may suitably selected and changed in addition to the advantage that the writing is effected by effectively utilizing the stepping-motion of the pulse motor. This will be described in more detail-hereinafter counting results may be derived fromits output terminals.

FIG. 6 illustrates a circuit diagram of one embodiment of the counter 501 in FIG. 5. A group of flip-flops FF,, FF, and FF, and a group of three-terminal AND gates A,, A A A, and A are arranged as shown. The common input terminal C, of the flip-flop FF, is connected to an input terminal i to which are applied count pulses. The reset output terminal R of the flip-flop FF, is connected to the common input terminal C of the flip-flop FF, whose reset output terminal R is connected to the common input terminal C of the flip-flop FF Thus the flip-flops FF FF, and FF, constitute an up-counter having the weights 1, 2 and 4. The reset terminal r is connected to the reset input terminals r,, r and r, of the flip-flops FF,, FF, and F1 The AND gates A, to A are suitably connected to the set output terminals S and reset output terminals R in various combinations so that a well known decoder is constructed. The outputs are derived from the terminals 0, l, '2, 3 and 4 as follows.

That is, the output is derived from the terminal 0 when the reset pulse is applied to the terminal r and all with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. As shown in FIG.

4A; a plurality of characters, as shown by circle, obtained by the arithmetic operation are recorded in one field L upon a recording medium P. First the writing is made from one end of the field L to the other end thereof along the uppermost row and then the writing is started from one end of the field L to the other end thereof along the second row and so on. As shown in FIG. 48, it is desired sometimes that the information is tabulated in a plurality of fields L,, L L L, and L as in the case of bills, registers, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, a pulse motor is used for advancing the writing head in order to control the movement of the writing'head by the pulse signals so that the mechanism for advancing or moving the writing head may be simple in construction. Furthermore a tabulation form may be determined by the setting of electrical signals so that the establishment and change of the fields or columns may be made in a simple manner while the strokes of the writing head may be arbitarily selected. Therefore, the tabulation forms as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B may be made in a simple manner by the same recording device. Thus, the recording system and device in accordance with the present invention can be widely used in various fields.

counter 50] counts the number of pulse signals applied to its terminal 1' and the signals representative of the of the flip-flops FF, to FF;, are reset and thereafterthe outputs are sequentially derived from'the decoder output terminals 1, 2, Sand 4 everytime when one count pulse is applied to the input terminal i.

Referring back to FIG. 5,'the output terminalsO to 4 of the pulse counter 501 are connected to wipers I, to I, of field setting rotary switches DL, to DL,, through AND gates G to G and diodes D, to D respectively. Each of the bank contacts 1 to 6 of the setting rotary switches DL, to DL5 are capable of being interconnected with the respective output terminals 0, l, 2, 3 and 4 of the counter 501. On the other hand, the contacts I to 6 are connected to numeral setting terminals 2 to 12 of a preset counter 502. It is understood that the above described rotary switch mechanism may be replaced by an electronic register but for the convenience of the description of the present invention the description is directed to the manual rotary switch mechanism.

The preset counter 502 sequentially subtracts from the preset number or count establishedat numeral setting terminals 2 to 12 of counter 502 the number of pulse signals applied to its input terminals and the outputs representative of the results of the subtraction are derived from the output terminals.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the preset counter 502.

I Flip-flops FF FF ,'FF and FF have the weights 1,

2, 4 and 8 respectively and the set output terminal S of each of the flip-flops FF,, to FF, is connected in cascade to the common input terminal C of the next stage flip-flop, thereby constructing a down counter. Fourterminal AND gates'vA to A construct a well known decoder by connecting the set output terminals S and reset output terminals R of the flip-flops FF to FF in a suitable combination. The output terminals of the AND gates A to A are connected to the terminals 0, 1, 2, 9, l0, l1 and 12. Three-input OR gates 0 0 and 0 are connected to the set input terminals s of the flip-flops FF Ff and FF Of the input terminals 2, 4, 6, 8, l0 and 12 of the preset counter, the terminal 2 is connectedto one of the input terminals of the OR gate 0 the terminal 4 to one of the input terminals of the OR gate 0 the terminal 6 to the other terminal of the OR gates 0 and 0 the terminal 8 to one of the input terminals of the OR gate the terminals 10 to the other terminals of the OR gates 0 and 0 amd the terminal 12 to the other terminals of the OR gates 0 and 0 Referring back to FIG. 5 again, the output terminal for the count value 0 (a predetermined count) of the preset counter 502 is connected to the input terminal for the pulse signals of the pulse counter 501 so that the content of the latter is increased by one.

The output terminal is also connected to the output terminal SP of recording completion signals so that the timing signals T, and T (not shown) are stopped. The output terminals for the counted values I to 12 of the preset counter 502 serve to read out the contents stored in a register 503 from the output terminals thereof into a read-out circuit 504. The content readout into the read-out circuit 504 is transmitted toward a decoder 505 (which has the same construction as the decoder described with reference to FIG. 8 so that no description is made) and converted into the binary coded decimal codes. The decoded outputs are converted into the control signals by an control signal generator 506 whose outputs in turn are transmitted to the writing head 10 where the outputs are applied to the horizontal and vertical deflection electrodes, thereby controlling the ink jet ejected from the writing head 10.

In FIG. 8 are illustrated the output register 503 and the readout circuit 504 associated with the output of the preset counter 502.

In order to read out the contents of the digits I, to t, of the output register 03 in accordance with the outputs of the preset counter 502, the terminal 1 is conneCte d t0 gates G11, G12, G14 and G18, and the terminal 2 is connected to AND gates G G G and G Similarly, the terminal 12 is connected to the AND gates 0, G G and G,,,,. The output terminals of the AND gates G G12. G1,, and G,,, (where i= 1 to 12) are connected to the input terminals of OR gates 0,, 0 0, and 0,, respectively whose output terminals are connected to one input terminals of the AND gates G,, G G, and G, respectively. To the other input terminals of these AND gates G, to G are connected the common terminal to which is applied the timing signal T,, The output terminals of the AND gates G, to G are connected to the input terminals of the decoder 505 respectively, which converts the binary information read out from the output register 503 into decimal information. The converted decimal information is applied from the output terminals 0, l, 2, 9 of the decoder to the respective input terminals of a memory matrix 800 in the signal generator 506.

Since the parallel type output register 503 is used in the instant embodiment, the read-out circuit 504 is constructed as described hereinabove. But it will be understood that the serial circulating register may be used. In this case, the read-out circuit may be constructed suitably for use with the serial circulating register.

The control signal generator which is applicable to the invention is described in pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 882,057 filed by the same applicant on Dec.

4, I969. now U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,394, granted Oct. 3, I972.

The control signal generator 506 comprises a memory matrix 800 which has a plurality of input terminals 0, 1, 2, 9 to which is applied the converted information specifiying character or indicium to be displayed or recorded. In the instant embodiment, the number of the input terminals are 10, but it may be increased or reduced in accordance with the number of characters or indicia desired to be displayed or recorded. To the memory matrix 800 is connected a shift register for applying the pulse signals to the memory matrix 800 to read out the information stored therein. As described in the aforementioned application the memory matrix 800 includes the programs constructed to store information in the appropriate manner.

The shift register 801 is connected to a clock source (not shown) to apply a train of pulses generated by the clock source to the memory matrix.

To the memory matrix 800 are connected an X- reversible counter 802 and an Y-reversible counter 803 both of which are adapted to read out the contents in the memory matrix 800.

The X- and Y- reversible counters 802 and 803 which are adapted to output the counted values are connected to digital-to- analog converters 804 and 805, respectively. That is, the output terminal of the X- reversible counter 802 is connected to the input terminal of XD-A'con'verter 804 whereas the output terminal of the Y-reversible counter 803 is connected to the input terminal of YD-A converter 805. The output terminals of the D-A converters 804 and 805 are connected to the writing head 10 to apply the control signals to the vertical and horizontal deflecting electrodes to control them for writing characters or indicia.

Next the mode of operation will be described hereinafter. When it is desired to tabulate the data by using a plurality of fields L, to L as shown in FIG. 4B, the maximum number of characters to be recorded in each of the fields L, to L is set. That is, when the maximum number of the characters to be recorded in the first field or column L, is six, the wiper I, of the rotary switch DL, is connected to the bank contact 3 so that an instruction for six digits is set. When the maximum number of the characters to be printed in the second column L is eight, the wiper I, of the rotary switch DL, is connected to the bank contact 4 so that an instruction for eight digits is set. In the similar manner as described above, the maximum digits for the columns L to L may be set by the rotary switches DL, to DL -On the other hand, the output register503 has the data stored which are to be recorded in the tabulation form as shown in FIG. 4B. To the input terminals T, and T are applied the timing signals having the same frequency but out of phase as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b).

Upon application of the signal to the input terminal ST, the signal representing the content 0 of the counter 501 is first derived' from the terminal 0 and applied to the rotary switch DL, through the AND gate G and the diode D, so that the signal is applied to the setting terminal 6 of the preset counter 502 so that the latter is set to the numeral 6. The signal from the output terminal 6 of the preset counter opens the AND gates G G621 G and G not shown so that the content of the sixth digit of the output register 503 is applied to the input terminals of the AND gates G,, G G, and G, through the OR gates 0,, O 0, and 0,. Consequently, in response to the application of timing signal T, as shown in FIG. 2(a) to the input terminal T,, the signal read out from the sixth digit of the output register 503 is applied to the control signal generator 506 through the decoder 505 to generate the controllsignals to be applied to the writing head 10. Upon completion of writing the character by the writing head, the timing signal T is ceased.

Then the timing signal T as shown in FIG. 2(b) is applied to the terminal T the pulse motor 14 is driven so that the writing head is advanced bya distance corresponding to the space of one character so that the writing head 10 is positioned to the next writing position.

The pulse is also applied to the input terminal 1' of the preset counter 502 so that the content of the preset counter is subtracted by one, thereby reducing the content to 5. Therefore, from the output terminal 5 of the preset counter 502 is generated the signal which opens the AND gates G G G and so that the content of the fifth digit t of the output register 503 is applied to the input terminals of the AND gates 0 to G through the OR gates 0 to 0 Therefore, in response to the application of the next timing signal T as shown FIG. 2(a), the content of the fifth digit of the output register is applied to the signal generator 506 through the decoder 505 to generate the control signals to be applied'to the writinghead 10 for recording. ln the similar manner as described hereinabove, the content of each digit of the output register 503 is sequentially recorded. Upon completion of the recording of the content of the first digit of the output register 503, the content of the preset counter 502 becomes 0 so that the signal is derived from the terminal 0, whereby the signal is applied to the output terminal SP, thereby indicating the completion of recording of thefirst field or column. This signal is also applied to the input terminal of the pulse counter 501, thereby setting the counter 501 to I. When the content of the pulse counter 501 is set to l, the signal from the terminal 0 is interrupted, but the signal is derivedfrom the terminal 1 and applied to the AND gate G Consequently, upon application of the recording start signal to the terminal ST, the AND gate G is opened and the signal derived from the output 1 of the pulse counter 501 is applied to the second column setting rotary switch DL through the diode D so that the numeral 8 representative of the maximum number of characters is set in the preset counter 502. The contents stored in the output register 503 and to be recorded in the second column are sequentially derived in the similar manner as described hereinabove in response to the timing pulse T, to control the writing head 10 for recording.

When the first or uppermost'row of the fields L, to L are recorded. the signal is applied to the terminal RT for returning the writing head 10 to its initial position. By this signal, the pulse motor 14 is reversed in direction so that the writing head 10 is returned to its initial position and at the same time the pulse counter 50] is reset.

Now it is seen from the foregoing that when the maximum character number for each of the'fields are preset by the rotary switches DL, to DL the characters may be recorded in each field while tabulating the data in the predetermined form.

So far the writing head 10 has been described as being at rest when writing is made and then advanced to the next writing position by the pulse motor 14. But it will be understood that writing or recording can be made while the writing head is advanced by-the pulse motor by the timing pulses or signals as shown in FIG. 3. in this case, it is preferable that the pulse motor l4 is driven linearly rather than stepwisely while the characters are recorded in the same field or column, so that it is desirable to associate a flywheel 507 with the power transmission mechanism such as a shaft of the pulse motor 14 as shown in H6. 5, thereby producing the inertia of rotation. ln case of the recording while the writing head is advanced, it is not required to stop the pulse motor 14 whenever one character is recorded. But in case of tabulation the writing head must be stopped accurately to define one field or column. The above described two requirements can be suitably met by the provision of the flywheel 507.

The present invention has been so far described with particular reference to illustrative embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that the following variations and modifications can be effected readily by v those skilled in the art:

I. The writing head 10 may be advanced from the right to the left instead of from the left to the right;

2. There may be a time delay between the rotation of the pulse motor 14 and the movement of the writing head 10; and

3. It is not limited to record one character in one step of the pulse motor 14. That is, two or more of the steps of the pulse motor may be used for recording one'character and vice versa.

What is claimed is:

l. A character recording system for recording char-.

acters on a recording medium in a plurality of recording fields, each having one ormore character positions therein, said system comprising a single writing head capable of recording for each recording field any of a plurality of characters in response to corresponding character control signals and movable with respect to said recording medium to different character recording positions of said medium irrespective of the particular characters to be recorded at such positions, prese'ttable counter means for counting from a selected pre-set count to a predetermined count as said writing head is advanced through successive character positions, associated selection means for successively pre- 2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said'character control signal generating means comprises means for storing data for controlling the characters to be recorded at the different character recording positions and means responsive to the counting of said presettable counter means for reading out said data.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for storing data comprises means for storing data at a plurality of storage positions and wherein said .means responsive to the counting of said pre-settable counter means for reading out data compris'esmeans for reading out data at storage positions corresponding ill ing head is an ink-jet printer head of the type which ejects ink electrostatically in response to said character control signals.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said writing head has a pulse motor for incrementally advancing said writing head through said character recording positions in response to pulses applied to said motor, and wherein said pre-settable counter means is responsive to said pulses for counting from said pre-set counts to said predetermined count.

Claims (6)

1. A character recording system for recording characters on a recording medium in a plurality of recording fiElds, each having one or more character positions therein, said system comprising a single writing head capable of recording for each recording field any of a plurality of characters in response to corresponding character control signals and movable with respect to said recording medium to different character recording positions of said medium irrespective of the particular characters to be recorded at such positions, pre-settable counter means for counting from a selected pre-set count to a predetermined count as said writing head is advanced through successive character positions, associated selection means for successively presetting said pre-settable counter means to a plurality of pre-set counts for establishing the number of character positions in successive fields of said plurality of fields, and character control signal generating means responsive to the counting of said pre-settable counter means for applying character control signals to said writing head, said pre-settable counter means successively counting from selected pre-set counts to said predetermined count at each recording field as the writing head advances across the recording medium for recording characters in said plurality of fields on said recording medium in response to said character control signals.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said character control signal generating means comprises means for storing data for controlling the characters to be recorded at the different character recording positions and means responsive to the counting of said pre-settable counter means for reading out said data.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for storing data comprises means for storing data at a plurality of storage positions and wherein said means responsive to the counting of said pre-settable counter means for reading out data comprises means for reading out data at storage positions corresponding to the character recording positions in said plurality of recording fields.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said associated selection means comprises a plurality of counter pre-setting means each capable of pre-setting said pre-settable counter means to different pre-set counts and means including another counter means advanced in response to said predetermined count for rendering said plurality of counter pre-setting means sequentially effective to pre-set said pre-settable counter means.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said writing head is an ink-jet printer head of the type which ejects ink electrostatically in response to said character control signals.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said writing head has a pulse motor for incrementally advancing said writing head through said character recording positions in response to pulses applied to said motor, and wherein said pre-settable counter means is responsive to said pulses for counting from said pre-set counts to said predetermined count.

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