JPS5921787B2 - Automatic chain identification method and device for chain printers - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in chain printers, and more particularly to improvements in chain printers that allow for interchangeable use of different type carriers carrying a set of type. Regarding printers.

Examples of such chain printers can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,699,884 and 3,629,861. Translation used to convert character code signals into type carrier position signals when different type carriers having interchangeable sets of type of different types can be used interchangeably in the same printer. A problem arises in that the table must be aligned with a type carrier having a particular set of type installed in the printer.

One purpose of the invention is to prevent chain printers from working with type carriers that have a set of type that does not correspond to the translation program in use.

Another object of the invention is to compare the identification code generated by a type carrier installed in a chain printer with a code identifying the translation program in use.

These and general objects of the invention are accomplished by flattening a unique sequence of teeth on each individual type carrier and sensing these teeth to generate a unique identification code. Ru.

This code is an array of binary 1s and binary 0s, but
A code identifying the translation program in use, which is stored in a separate register for comparison with the binary code contained in the register. A match between the two codes is used to confirm that indication. That is, the chain printer of the present invention is constructed to allow for the interchange or replacement of type carriers to facilitate the use of a wide variety of character sets or sets of type.

In order to handle type carriers of different glyph types, a translation program must be provided for each set of glyph types in the set. A number of teeth on the type carrier are ground down with a chisel to indicate that the translation program being used matches the complete set of type on the type carrier installed in the printer. This hoarded tooth is later sensed as an identification code unique to this type carrier. This code is contained in a register in the printer control and is compared with a code in another register identifying the translation program to be used. The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a typical arrangement of type carrier 15 and drive wheels 11 and 13 in a chain printer.

The type carrier 15 or belt carries a set of type letters 1 indicated by alphabets A, B, C, D, etc. in block type.
7 on its surface. On the back side of this type row, teeth 19 are provided which engage the drive wheels 11 and 13 so that the type carrier 15 is driven without slipping. The type set of a particular type carrier 15 is identified by flattening a certain minimum combination of teeth 19.

For example, by wearing down three teeth 21, 23, 25, a certain 6-bit identification code can be created. This gives 26 unique identification codes.
If the type carrier 15 moves counterclockwise, the flattened first tooth 21 represents a synchronization pulse. The six teeth following tooth 21 representing the synchronization pulse represent a six digit printed carrier identification code. This identification code is generated by the reluctance sensing device 27 each time a flattened tooth, such as tooth 23 for example, passes through the reluctance sensing device 27. This reluctance type sensing device 2
7 is considered to be well known to those skilled in the art and will not be discussed further here. Each time a flattened tooth passes through this reluctance sensing device 27, the line 29
One pulse is formed on the printer control 31 and transmitted to the printer control 31. The printer control 31
is coupled to the computer system via communication link 33. Printer control 31 may be any known printer control device used for chain printers. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,699,884 and 3,629,
No. 861 illustrates one type of printer control device that is available. FIG. 2 shows an example of a structure for implementing the present invention.

This logic circuit 35 includes a pair of AND gates 37 and 39, a D-type flip-flop 41 that receives the output of the AND gate 39, and a one-shot multipipe radar that receives the output of the flip-flop 41. 43
, clocks a serial input/parallel output type carrier identification register 47 and a parallel input/parallel output buffer register 49 which are triggered by the multipipe radar 43 and fed with data from the AND gate 37. a clock source 45 which is triggered by the multi-pipe radar 43 in order to perform the multi-pipe radar 43; and a comparator circuit 51 which receives the outputs of the two registers 47 and 49 and generates a signal indicating a match or non-match. The operation of the circuit arrangement of FIG. 2 will now be described in conjunction with the pulse train of FIG.

The parallel input/parallel output buffer/register 49 is
For example, Signetix Corporation (Sign
eticBCOrpOratiOn) and published on pages 3-16 of its 1972 catalog.
It may be the one shown as register rotor 8202.
This buffer register 49 receives a binary code that fixes the translation table in use. In other words, the buffer register 49 is, for example, a communication
A 6-bit binary code is loaded from the computer system containing the translation table in its memory via the ring 33, or by the user himself. Both methods are well known to those skilled in the art and are not an essential requirement of the present invention. During an initialization phase prior to the start of a print cycle, buffer register 49 is loaded with a specific binary code. As an example, assume that the binary code loaded into buffer register 49 is 010010, as shown in FIG.
When a particular type carrier 15 (FIG. 1) is installed in a chain printer prior to the start of a print cycle,
The type carrier 15 is rotated several times so that the reluctance sensing device 27 can sense the flattened teeth on the type carrier 15.

Reluctance type sensing device 27 senses the flattened tooth and sends a pulse on line 29 which connects to appropriate circuitry in printer control 31. Suitable circuitry 35 in printer control 31 receives pulses at point A, shown as pulses 73, 75 and 77 in FIG. These are the pulses formed for the specific example of the flattened tooth of FIG. Obviously, many other combinations of flat teeth can be used. The example shown here represents a 6-bit identification code. Before the logic circuit 35 in the printer control 31 receives any pulse, the signal output of the one-shot multipipe radar 43 in the logic circuit 35 is low (as shown in FIG. An enable input is then provided to AND gate 39.

This same level signal can also be used as an inhibit signal.
The signal is supplied to the gate 37. Reluctance type sensing device 27
When the first pulse 73 is generated by sensing the
Gate 39 produces a pulse output on line 67 which is fed to the clock input of a D-type flip-flop 41 and the Q output of this flip-flop to a one-shot multipipe radar 43. A signal is sent on line 69, thereby starting the multi-pipe radar 43. As an example, this multi-pipe radar 43 is manufactured by Signetics Corporation.
It is of the type manufactured by and described as a monostable multipipe radar N74l2l on pages 2 to 112 of its 1972 parts catalog.

When started, the output of multipipe radar 43 goes high, thereby inhibiting AND gate 39 and enabling AND gate 37.

Additionally, this high level signal is provided via line 61 to clock source 45.
provides a clock signal via line 63 to modulo counter 46 and register 47 and via line 65 to another register 49. The clock source 45 may be the printer control's system clock fed with a signal on line 61, or it may be a timer synchronized to the printer control clock.

This timer may be, for example, the one manufactured by the aforementioned Signetics Corporation and described as Timer 555 on pages 6-49 of their 1972 catalog. The clock signal shown in FIG. 3D causes the data pulse on line 71 appearing at the output of AND gate 37 to be clocked into print carrier identification register 47. Register 47 was manufactured by the aforementioned Signetix Corporation and is listed in its 1972 catalog, pages 3-78, as a serial input/parallel output shift register (S). 78273 may be used. Thus, for the flattened tooth example shown in FIG.
The first synchronization pulse 7 within the window formed by
Pulses 75 and 77 occurring after 3, together with the absence of a pulse between them, cause the contents of register 47 to be 010010. Any pulse that appears on line 71 after a timeout at 81 of one-shot multipipe radar 43 is not clocked into print carrier identification register 47. When the last bit of the 6-bit code is clocked into register 47, modulo counter 46 generates a pulse when the sixth clock pulse 83 occurs on line 63 and clocks the pulse into line 63. The signal is supplied to the comparator circuit 51 via 64.

This modulo counter 46 is, for example, a modulo counter that performs division by 6, and is manufactured by, for example, the above-mentioned Signetix Corporation, and is listed in No. 101 of its 1971 TTL Family Catalog.
It may be the one described as a counter shop S5492 that performs division by 6 on the page. At this point, the 6-bit binary code identifying the print carrier is fully loaded into the print carrier identification register 47.

Buffer register 49 and print carrier identification register 47 send their contents to comparator circuit 51 by the last clock pulse 83. Comparison circuit 51 is manufactured by Fairchild Corporation.
Produced by dCOrpOratiOn), Part 1
It may be the one shown as Comparison Circuit Shop 9324 on pages 8 to 124 of the June 1972 catalog.

The output of modulo counter 46 on line 64 is
It is connected to the enabling input of comparison circuit 51. Comparison circuit 51
, only its "=" output is used. Thus, if the corresponding bits from the contents of the identification register 47 and buffer register 49 are compared and there is a discrepancy, this is indicated as a signal at a particular level on line 53 of the comparison circuit 51. This signal is sent to the computer system (not shown) to inhibit print cycles.

) or simply to a display device (not shown) to alert the operator that a type carrier containing an incorrect type set has been installed in the chain printer. What has been described above relates to a method and particular apparatus for preventing a type carrier from being used in a chain printer whenever that particular translation table is not loaded into the computer system.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above. The following are preferred embodiments of the invention and should be understood as falling within the scope of the claims. (1)
applying the physical deformation is flattening a predetermined number of teeth of the plurality of teeth, and further comprising: storing the formed binary code; storing a reference binary code; Claim 1, characterized in that it includes the step of comparing binary codes.
Automatic Chain Identification Method for Chain Printers as described in Section.

(2) The device further includes a member for storing the formed binary code, a member for storing the reference binary code, and a member for comparing both the binary codes stored in the previous storage member. An automatic chain identification device for a chain printer according to claim 2.

(3) The physically deformed teeth are flat teeth, and the member that stores the formed binary code is a serial input and
Automatic chain identification device for a chain printer according to claim 2, characterized in that it consists of parallel output shift registers.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a perspective view of a drive wheel and a type carrier common to chain printers; FIG. 2 is an illustration in block and logic diagram form of one embodiment of the circuitry associated with the invention; FIG. 2 is a pulse diagram showing the signals present at various points during operation of the circuitry of FIG. 2. FIG. 11, 13...Drive wheel, 15...Print carrier, 17...Print, 19,21,23,
25... Teeth on the back of type carrier 15, 27...
... Reluctance type sensing device, 31 ... Printer control, 37, 39 ... AND gate, 41 ... D-type flip-flop, 45 ... ...Clock Sauce, 46...
・Modeuro counter, 47, 49...Register, 51...Comparison circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a chain printer in which a type carrier comprises a set of type on its surface and a plurality of teeth for engaging a drive member, the type set on the type carrier is applying a physical deformation to a predetermined number of the plurality of teeth at a predetermined location on the type carrier and sensing the physical deformation of the predetermined number of teeth to represent a unique binary code to be identified; and forming a binary code representative of the physical deformation. 2. The type carrier comprises a set of type on its surface and a plurality of teeth for engaging the drive member, one of the teeth being physically deformed to engage the sensing member. In a chain printer which is sensed and generates a synchronization pulse, said type at a position displaced from said physically deformed tooth to represent a unique binary code identifying said type set on said type carrier. a binary code represented by a tooth provided on a carrier and subjected to a plurality of physical deformations that is sensed by the sensing member, and a tooth responsive to the sensing member and subjected to a plurality of physical deformations; An automatic chain identification device for a chain printer, characterized in that it consists of a member forming a chain printer.