DE2220363A1 - Magnetic printing device - Google Patents

Description

FATHWTAHWALT Dipt. ing. B. HOLZEB

f. 569

89 AUQ8BUHO

Augsburg, April 25, 1972

Data Interface Associates, Tower Road, Brookfield Center, Connecticut 06805 »V.St.v.A,

Magnetic printing device

The invention relates to magnetic printing devices These are high-speed printing devices and, in particular, non-impact printing devices which a magnetic image is used to transfer characters onto a writing surface.

High speed printers are widely used, for example in data processing and communication systems

209847/1183

for the permanent recording of output information, Most printers in use today belong to the electromechanical design, in which a colored font on a write head against a opposite sheet is struck in order to transfer the inked character onto it · Electric Signals are used to selectively excite the fonts to be printed. The automatic typewriter is a known form of electromechanical printer in which, by appropriately positioning a write head depending on an electrical control signal, only one character can be printed at a time. Such automatic typewriters can operate at typing speeds of up to about 15 characters / s · For higher writing speeds, typically up to 15GO characters / s, line printers are used at which "a field of fonts arranged into a line of information and then as a whole on a assigned sheet is printed »Such known printers require a high-energy device to print data Strike between the stylus and a sheet. As a result, relatively robust parts are used must be in order to be fair to the strong forces occurring and in order to create one in the presence of such forces

209847/1183

to ensure accurate operation. The high-energy punch of such electromechanical printers also leads rather noisy machines, the mechanical complexity of which also increases manufacturing costs leaves.

Various methods are already in place in attempting to avoid the disadvantages of electromechanical printers to prevent physical impact between a print head and a sheet to be printed One of these proposed methods is ferromagnetic printing, in which a magnetic printing ink is applied to a recording-bearing areas of a magnetic medium. These areas define a character or other image to be printed, which is then placed on a sheet is transmitted. Such ferromagnetic printers are for example, U.S. Patents 3,161,544 and 3,254,626 known·

The printer disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,615,444 uses a plurality of magnetic recording heads used, which are each designed as individual separate printed characters. In addition, facilities for

209847/1183

Transfer of the recorded images from excited print heads provided on paper. The design and construction of print heads »which are each separate Representing characters is extremely difficult and greatly restricts the usability of a such printing facility. From U.S. Patent 3,254,626 a magnetic printing device is known in which a divided writing head for forming characters by means of a matrix of line segments and for transferring a line of recorded characters to a Paper is used by means of a print hammer, the latter being periodically actuated by control signals that are recorded at certain intervals along a recording tape. From neither of these two patents a commercially attractive printing device is known. The requirement for control signals on the magnetic tape may result in a misalignment between the magnetic tape data recording heads and the magnetic head for reading of the control signals and thus to a deterioration in the operation of the printing device and the print quality In addition, the electromagnetic print hammer has to work with considerable energy to produce a To effect image transfer so that he does the same

209847/1183

Has disadvantages like the electromechanical printer already explained above.

The object of the invention is to be achieved, a magnetic printing device of the type set out at the beginning Kind to improve so that they are quiet, inexpensive to manufacture and more versatile than the known printing devices and is therefore commercially viable.

In terms of solving this problem, the invention includes a magnetic printing device which by a magnetic tape, further by a tape transport device for moving the magnetic tape on a certain path, further through a magnetic recording device for recording data representing information to be printed on the Magnetic tape, furthermore by an erasing device for erasing data recorded on the magnetic tape, further by a toner dispenser for applying magnetic toner to areas bearing a record of the magnetic tape, the further by a sheet receiving data, a part of which is in a flat position opposite a part of the magnetic tape is arranged, further by a sheet transport device for moving the sheet

209847/1183

in a certain way, also through one in the Near one side of said part of the magnetic tape arranged plate, furthermore by a plate on the transmission means arranged with respect to the side of said part of the magnetic tape opposite the disk, by means of which the opposing parts of the magnetic tape and the sheet in one pass are gradually pushed together over their entire length, whereby the one record toner bearing areas of the magnetic tape is applied to the opposite side of the sheet is, and finally characterized by a device for fixing the applied toner to the sheet is.

According to the invention, data on the endless loop magnetic tape becomes a matrix of recording sections applied which, due to their arrangement, define a character or another image to be printed. Of the Toner, which is a magnetic printing ink, is applied to the recorded images and then transferred to an assigned paper or to another recording surface. The printer can for printing alphanumeric characters, symbols and the like.

209847/118

and also for recording image information · Individual characters and symbols can be used can be printed individually or in the form of entire lines, depending on the desired operating mode. the Intensity of the printed marks can be adjusted by controlling the duty cycle, the carrier frequency or the amplitude of the recording drive signals supplied to the magnetic recording head are changed, so that both gray scale recording and black and white printing can be achieved. The too Information to be printed can be obtained from a computer or from a hand-operated keyboard and the printing device also from a remote data source via a telephone line or another transmission path are fed.

The endless magnetic tape loop is in the magnetic printing device according to the invention during The operation is driven by a suitable drive motor at a constant speed. The too Information to be printed is recorded on the magnetic tape by the recording head and an electronic device associated therewith Coding circuit recorded. The magnetized information

20 9-8 47/1183

is moved past the toner dispenser, which magnetizable powder is applied to the recorded areas of the magnetic tape. In a printing station is the toner from the recording areas of the magnetic tape by means of only a small Energy-requiring device transferred to an opposite surface of the paper. Be in an extinguishing station the magnetized areas of the tape, which were previously used for printing, erased and any residual toner are removed from the magnetic tape so that the previously magnetized areas of the magnetic tape are returned to re-magnetization with new data to be printed are available. The magnetic tape can be on its way be transported step by step, with the transfer of the toner from the magnetic tape to the associated Paper surface during the rest interval of the intermittent Tape movement is made.

Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described below described in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 in a perspective view

the electromechanical part

209847/1183

a magnetic printing device according to the invention,

Fig »2 shows a longitudinal section through one at

the pressure transmission device used according to the invention as shown in Pig.1,

Pig, 3 in side view, another Aus

management form of the electromechanical part of the magnetic printing device according to the invention,

Pig · 4 partially broken open one

Toner applicator / remover according to the invention,

Pig · 5 is a view of one at the inven

proper printing device usable multi-track write head,

Fig. 5A is a circuit diagram of a

printing device according to the invention usable copy effect compensation circuit,

- 9 - 209847/1183

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a print

systems in which the printing device according to the invention can be used is,

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a single image from FIG

digital data that can be used in the printing device according to the invention,

Figure 8 is a block diagram of a Schnell

printing device according to the invention,

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of one in the

character generator used in the printing device shown in FIG ,

Figure 10 is a block diagram of one of the

line memory used in the character generator shown in FIG. 9,

Figure 11 is a block diagram of a system

- 10 209847/1183

for the generation of character and facsimile data, which in the deck device according to the invention can be used, and

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of an arrangement

for receiving data to be printed using a television receiver.

A preferred embodiment of the electromechanical part? the printing device according to the invention is shown in FIG. An endless loop of magnetic tape 10 is guided through rollers 12 on the path shown in FIG. The magnetic tape I ¹ I is driven by a drive and pressure roller 14 in the direction indicated by arrows 16. A recording head 18 is disposed in the vicinity of a tape roll 12d and in contact with the magnetizable surface of the magnetic tape 10. A magnetic erase head 20 is disposed at a location between rollers 12a and 12d. The recording and erasing heads 18 and 20 are connected to an associated circuit, which is described in more detail below, and are each operable in such a way that data is recorded on the magnetic tape 10

- 11 -

2 0 9 8 4 7/1183 «,. ,,,

Al

and then deleted again. According to the invention, those recorded on the magnetic tape 10 are recorded Data used to print characters on a writing surface. A toner applicator / remover 22, which Is arranged next to the magnetic tape 10, has one of the magnetizable surfaces of the magnetic tape 10 on a Set up opposite opening 24 in the vicinity of the recording head 18. The applicator / remover 22 applies magnetic toner powder to the areas recorded on the magnetic tape 10 by the head and removes the toner from the magnetic tape again after erasing the recorded data by the head 20

A paper web 26 or another suitable material on which data are to be printed is provided by a spool, not shown, and supplied in the manner shown in Fig. 1 by the printing device The paper web is in a direction indicated by arrows 17 by pressure rollers and 40 through and then on its entire Width moved past the magnetizable surface of the magnetic tape 10 directly. The paper web is then around a roller 36 and from this to pressure rollers 30 and 32, via a roller 28 and to one

- 12 209 8 47/1183

Outgoing receiving station, in which devices for severing sections of the paper web 26 are present · As detailed in Pig. 2 is on the magnetizable surface of the magnetic tape 10 facing away from the same a plate 42 is arranged, which is in or almost in contact with the magnetic tape, one side of the paper web 26 is the recording surface of the magnetic tape 10 opposite, while the other side of the paper web 26 is opposite a wiper plate 44. The mop plate 44, which is typically made of a plastic material, is free-floating arranged between the paper web 26 and a transfer cam. The transfer cam 46 is at the point at which the printing process is to be carried out, arranged over the entire length of the magnetic tape 10. This Cam is rotated to sequentially change the data recorded on the magnetic tape 10 to the opposite To transfer parts of the paper web 26.

The transmission cam 46 has an elongated cylinder, which is at least the same and preferably longer than the active length of the magnetic tape 10 from which printing is being made * A raised one

- 13 -

209847/1183

A screw line shaped strip 48 is on the cylinder surface appropriate. The transfer cam is arranged with respect to the magnetic tape 10 that the bar 48 the paper 26 over the wiping plate 44 arranged between them against the adjacent surface of the magnetic tape 10 urges »When the cam 46 is rotated, the bar 48 crosses the active length of the magnetic tape 10 and causes the toner adhering to the recording surfaces of the magnetic tape 10 gradually to the opposite areas of the paper web 26 is transmitted and thereby the printing of the data takes place.

The slope of the bar 48 causes that during a certain angular rotation of the transmission cam a line of data is sequentially transferred onto the paper web 26. In the illustrated embodiment of the The printing device according to the invention is the strip 48 on approximately one third of the circumferential surface of the cam 46 arranged so that the printing process by rotating the cam 46 through an angle of about 120 ° is performed. The mopping plate 44 has the task of the bar 48 when it is rotated relative to the paper web 26 caused tangential forces

- 14 -

209847/1183

derive. The wiping plate also exerts a slight Wiping effect on the surface of the paper web 26 and thereby brings about a better image transfer. With the shaft of the transmission cam 46 is connected to a contact which rotates together with this and once per revolution with an associated stationary contact 49 establishes an electrical connection. By this electrical connection becomes a "start of line" signal for the printing of data lines, which is explained in more detail below.

The toner usually consists of resin-coated magnetic particles which are heated must so that it melts or so that the toner bonds permanently to the paper. Melting the toner is effected by an elongated heating rod 37, which is arranged in the vicinity of the roller 36, over which the paper web 26. is led away, and which has a curved reflector 39 arranged in its vicinity, which concentrates the heat on the opposite part of the paper web 26. The actual melting temperature is a function of the toner material used; usually the melting can take place at one temperature

- 15 -

209847/1183

Av

of about 120 ⁰ C can be made. The paper only needs to be heated up for a fraction of a second in order to fix the image. The paper web 26 passes the heating rod 37 for a period of time which is sufficient to fix the toner on the paper. A heated, transparent glass pane, which is arranged above the paper web 26 at a point in the vicinity of the printing station, can also be used to fix the toner. Such a glass heater allows the data printed on the paper web 26 to be read during the fusing process.

The magnetic tape 10 is driven intermittently on its closed path and transmitted by Data on the magnetic tape on the paper web 26 occurs during the idle period. The paper web 26 can after a line of data has been printed, either intermittently or continuously, with in in the latter case, the momentary stopping of the paper web for printing by the braking action of the transfer cam 46 takes place. In order to keep the size of the mechanical energy used in the printing device as small as possible hold, a considerable part of the print cycle can be used to transfer the image from the magnetic tape to the paper

- 16 2D98O / 1 183

rail can be used. Instantaneous forces are kept relatively low, which is also a bonus leads to the fact that the printing device according to the invention works extremely quietly.

The plate 42 is made of an elastomeric material or coated on the surface with such a material, which deforms under the pressure of the bar 48 of the transmission cam 46. The elastic surface compensates the cam movement of the transmission cam, which otherwise uneven forces with a maximum could generate at a point tangential to the direction of movement of the bar 48. The elastic plate compensates also slight differences in the alignment between the magnetic tape 10, the paper web 26, the wiping plate 44 and the transmission cam 46. The bar 48 can alternatively be made of an elastic material and together with a rigid plate 42 for transferring the toner from the magnetic tape 10 to the paper web be used. In some cases it can also be beneficial to have both an elastic plate as well to use an elastic bar. Different materials exhibit the desired elasticity and low Friction on that to avoid obstruction of the

- 17 209847/1 183

Belt movement are required. Such a material is, for example, neoprene with a Teflon coating. The main drive elements of the tape and paper transport device can perform a continuous movement, since the intermittent movement is limited to the belt loop and the paper feed rollers. Only a small amount of energy is required to accelerate and decelerate the mechanical parts, as a result of which both the mechanical energy values as well as the costs and the noise development of the device according to the invention be kept to a minimum. In some cases it can be beneficial to have the magnetic tape with you to decelerate at a controlled speed to avoid interference with the toner applied to the magnetic tape, especially when the forces caused by the intermittent movement of the magnetic tape cause a disturbance of the toner application.

Another preferred embodiment of the electromechanical part of the printing device according to the invention is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, a magnetic tape 10a is in a rectangular shape by means of rollers 12e Loop out so that the magnetizable Is the area of the ribbon inside the loop. A plate 42a

- 18 209847/1183

222P363

is along one side of the belt loop opposite the not magnetizable surface of the magnetic tape arranged, pin Sheet 26a of paper or other suitable material lies on the magnetizable surface of the magnetic tape on the opposite side of the same facing away from the plate 42a and a mopping plate 44a is in the Located near the other surface of the paper sheet 26a. The transmission cam 46a lies on the wiper plate 44a opposite and presses by means of a helical bar 48a in the manner already described in his Gradually rotate the paper 26a against the opposing portions of the magnetic tape 10a. A toner fixing device, which is not shown is used in the same way as in FIG.

A recording head 18a is mounted near the magnetizable surface of the magnetic tape at the position shown in Fig. Position shown. One near the Toner applicator 50 located on plate 42a applies the toner generated by head 18a on magnetic tape 10a Recording areas toner on. As shown in FIG. 3, an erase head 20a is in the vicinity of the magnetic tape arranged. A toner remover 52 is opposite

- 19 -

209847/1183

the erase head on the face facing the magnetizable surface Side of the magnetic tape arranged and has the task of erasing the recorded on the magnetic tape Data to remove the toner again.

In the embodiment of the printing device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, the toner-on brings / Ent also 22 applies the toner to the magnetic tape and removes it again from the same. In the embodiment of the printing device according to the invention shown in FIG. 3, however, separate devices are used for applying the toner to the recorded tape areas and for removing the toner from the erased tape areas. The magnetic tape 10a is ^{driven intermittently by a pressure roller 5 1} * and a drive roller 56.

The capstan 56 is circular, but with one exception a flat part 58 which, when the drive roller rotates clockwise in FIG. 3, the belt comes to a standstill causes during which the data image on the magnetic tape 10a is transferred to the paper 26a. The magnetizable In this embodiment of the printing device according to the invention, the surface of the magnetic tape is located

- 20 2098A7 / 1183

within the belt loop and the transfer cam 46a is within the belt loop near the active one Band surface arranged., In the case of the one shown in FIG Embodiment, the active surface of the magnetic tape and the transfer cam 46 assigned to it are located outside the tape loop. The different Elements of the tape transport device can be arranged at different locations with respect to the tape loop depending on how the printing device according to the invention is constructed. In the case of the one shown in FIG Embodiment, the switch for generating a "beginning of line" signal is attached to the drive roller 56. A contact 57, which is attached to the drive roller and rotates together with this, acts with one stationary contact 59 together. It is also used to adapt to the special structure of a printing device possible, the magnetic recording of data on the non-oxide coated side of the magnetic tape 10 to be upset about the same.

The toner applicator / remover 22 shown in FIG. 1 has a closed cylindrical housing 60 with an opening 62 arranged opposite the magnetizable surface of the magnetic tape 10. One too

- 21: 209847/1 183

cylindrical brush with bristles 66 projecting radially away from a hub 64 is concentrically rotatably arranged within the housing 60 such that the ends of the bristles 66 touch the inner surface of the housing 60 or are only a short distance therefrom. A supply of magnetic toner powder is located inside the housing 60. The toner is dusted on the recorded areas of the magnetic tape 10 by the action of the bristles 66. A ridge 65 'attached to the inner surface of the housing 60, which extends over the entire width of the housing, serves to remove clumps of toner which can form on the bristle ends. Another opening Sj is provided in the housing 60 opposite a part of the magnetic tape IO in the vicinity of the erase head and serves to remove the toner from the erased parts of the magnetic tape. Instead of a single toner applicator / remover, separate devices can also be used for applying and removing the toner, as shown in FIG. The toner remover can also be combined with a tape demagnetizer so that both data erasure and toner removal can be performed by a single device.

- 22 -

2 0 9 8 A 7/1 1 8 3

Data for the formation of characters and other information to be printed are recorded on the magnetic tape by means of an array of line segments or other elements which are arranged in relation to one another to produce the intended recording. A typical magnetic head for such fields of line segments is shown in FIG. This magnetic head has twelve head parts 70 which are arranged offset from one another. There are 6 even-numbered parts and 6 odd-numbered parts, each of which carries a coil winding 72. The operating edge 73 of each head portion 70 abuts a magnetic barrier layer Jk disposed between the even and odd portions. The head is constructed so that the barrier layer Ik extends across the width of the magnetic tape so that the head gaps define a plurality of line segments along the width of the magnetic tape. Each line segment to be printed is recorded as a carrier pulse in order to compensate for the dependence of the magnetic toner on field gradients. By using a carrier pulse instead of a direct current pulse, the areas to be printed can be completely covered with toner.

The displacement of the head parts against each other is

- 23 - 2098 ^ 7/1183

electronically compensated for by properly arranging the character data supplied to the head to enable printing of a Field of line sections is possible, which are in alignment on the tape. In other words, that means that those line sections which are mechanically delayed due to the special structure of the head are electronically accelerated to align these line segments with the non-delayed line segments bring to.

Characters and other symbols generated by the illustrated embodiment of the printing device according to the invention are specified by a matrix of line dimensions, this matrix being composed of twelve vertical elements is composed within each column. With each character one column becomes at the same time printed by selectively energizing the head portions 70 of the magnetic head. The formation of characters through a field of elements is known per se and therefore does not need to be explained in more detail here.

The intensity of the pattern recorded on the magnetic tape can be changed so that gray scale recording is achieved. Such a change can go through

209847/1 183

Changing the drive level of the signals fed to the magnetic head, by changing the carrier frequency used or by adjusting the TasiRatio of the carrier signal as well as any combination of such methods be made. The pattern recorded with variable intensity causes correspondingly variable Amounts of toner stick to the same. The toner has a variable effect after being transferred onto the paper web 26 Intensity and results in a gray gradation of the display, which is what happens when using the inventive Printing device for a facsimile or graphic data display is of particular interest.

It is known that in multi-track magnetic heads between the so-called copying effect occurs on the head parts, which can affect the quality of the data recorded by the corresponding headers. At a If the head is designed correctly, the copying effect can often be kept to a minimum permissible value. In some In some cases, however, it may be desirable to use a less expensive recording head which itself has one has quite a large copying effect, and to compensate for this copying effect by the associated circuit. Even with multi-track magnetic heads, which one

- 25 209847/1183

have a low crosstalk level or a low copy effect, it may be desirable to have this through To further reduce the use of such a compensation circuit. Such a compensation circuit is in Fig. 5A shown. This circuit shows as an example three buffer amplifiers 71a, 71b and 71c each having a differential output. These amplifiers are assigned to adjacent tracks of the recording head, for example tracks 7 »8 and 9 · The positive output of each amplifier is connected to the relevant coil 72 of the associated head part. The positive output of each amplifier is also connected to the negative via an adjustable resistor 73 Output of each adjacent amplifier connected while the negative output of each amplifier also has an adjustable resistor 75 to the positive output the neighboring amplifier is connected. Each buffer amplifier 71 is in this way with the neighboring Buffer amplifiers cross-connected in phase opposition to avoid the copy effects induced in each head winding 72 To get picked up. The resistors 73 and 75 are set at the beginning so that the desired Results in zero balancing effect. Other compensation methods

- 26 -

209847 / 1-183

SL ¹ ?

can of course with the printing device according to the invention can also be used. Many of these methods are in the digital recording field known, such as changing the carrier driver polarity or frequency from track to track to Reduction of the copy effects to a minimum.

Before the mode of operation of the printing device according to the invention is explained in detail, it is advantageous to to consider the overall system in which the printing device is used Rapid printing device is particularly suitable as an output device for a hand-operated keyboard or for a calculator. In Fig. 6, a keyboard 80 is shown which is connected to a logic circuit 82 which a character generator 84 drives which signals causing data to be printed to a printing device gives away. The keyboard'80 supplies the pressed key representative coded output signal, while the logic circuit 82 converts the received signals into a Driving the character generator 84 brings the appropriate format. Data can also be provided to the character generator 84 are supplied from a computer 88, which such

- 27 -

209847/1183

can be programmed to deliver data to the character generator in the required format. on the other hand the computer can output characters or other signals representing data to be printed to the logic circuit 82, which brings them into the correct format and forwards them to the character generator 84.

The printing system can receive character data in an appropriate code, such as ASCII code and facsimile data in another code, and both character and facsimile data can be on one sheet depending on generated from the information received. A typical frame of data sent by the printer are received and which is shown in Fig. 7, has a code word 90 which indicates whether a ASCII or whether facsimile information is received. Then there is a sequence of message characters in the data frame 92 and the frame ends with a code 94, which is a line feed command which causes the printing device to set the paper web to the next line.

A main feature of the invention is that the printing device according to the invention with conventional

- 28 209847/1 183

Components and circuits can generate both character and facsimile data, as shown in FIG. The printing device is connected to a data source which is, for example, one set up at the location of the printing device or at a remote location and connected to the printing device via a suitable transmission path, for example a telephone line Calculator acts. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is particularly for use as a data station designed, which receives data from a remote central computer and sends it to this. Data which are received in serial form on a transmission path, are fed to a receiving modem 100, which converts the received modulated pulses into DC pulses that are suitable for input to a serial / parallel converter 102 are suitable. Parallel data from the converter 102 are applied to the input of a line memory 104, which compiles data lines to be printed. Of the . Line memory 104 can also hold local parallel data received from a hand-operated keyboard 106. This data from the keyboard 106 is passed to a parallel to serial converter 108 supplied. The serial output signals of the converter 108 are fed to a transmission modem 110, which modulates Pulses for transmission to the remote computer

- 29 209847/1183

to a transmission channel.

Since the printer is able to print information at a speed which is greater than the data transfer speeds normally used, and which also because of the line memory is asynchronous with the input data, a measurement of the filling level of the memory can be used for the control the power of the printer drive motor can be used to prevent wear and tear in the printing device in the event to minimize the need for the printer to be used in a low data speed system. Data from the line memory 104 are fed to a motor control circuit 117, which drive signals for the printer motor delivers. The drive motor can be energized after moving an entire line of characters in the line memory 104 is located, and then de-energized again. As a result, the engine is operated with low duty cycle, typically one tenth of the time it takes to feed a line of data for printing is needed.

The printing system interacts completely with a remote processing unit. Pern data can

- 30 209847/1 183

as well as local data from keyboard 106 in line memory 104 for subsequent printing. In-situ generated data can also be used in the remote processing unit. The parallel output of the line memory 104 is with a transmission path switch 112 and also a character / facsimile detector 114 and a line feed detector 116 tied together. The detector 114 determines whether the received data is character information or facsimile information represent what is determined by the nature of data word 90 which is part of that shown in FIG Data frame is. The detector 116 detects the presence of the line feed code 94 of the data frame fixed so that the paper web is transported to the next line position in the printing device will. Another line feed code 94 is put together is used with each code 90 depending on whether the individual message contains character data or facsimile data.

In response to appropriate line feed codes, detector 116 generates two control signals, each of which labeled "Line Feed" and "Facsimile Feed" are. These control signals cause the further

- 31 209847/1183

switch the paper web by a certain distance. In general, it is desirable that in facsimile printing a smaller line spacing is used to improve the resolution of the printed data. Typically A line spacing of 0.25 mm is used for facsimile reproduction, while for character reproduction a line spacing of 5 mm is used. In response to a command signal which the detector 114 sends to the transmission path switch 112 supplies parallel data from the line memory 104 to either the parallel / serial converter or the character generator 120, depending on whether the received data is character or is facsimile information. Character information is given to the head parts of the recording head for printing of the corresponding characters supplied in parallel form, which is explained in more detail below. on the other hand a facsimile information in serial form is supplied to a single recording head by the converter 118, which is a separate head from the character recording head, or preferably is a head portion of the character recording head.

When printing data from the keyboard 106, it is often useful to provide some means to do so allowing viewing of a print line, for example

- 32 -

209847/1183

to detect misprints. For viewing a line of printed data, the paper can be adjusted to a specific one Distance can be advanced, for example by one line, by a paper feed control circuit is excited by actuating a corresponding control key in the keyboard 106. Then the paper, when printing can continue, by means of the keyboard control and the paper feed control circuit automatically returned to the original line position.

The character generator 120, which is described in Pig. 9, depending on the data received, excites the individual tracks of the multi-track recording head so that this forms the characters or other data on the magnetic tape which are required for printing on the associated Paper web can be used. The data to be printed are received from a line memory 200 and as a parallel word a charge control circuit 202 and fed from this to a buffer memory 204. The parallel data from the memory 200 are also fed to a special character detector 206 which is an electronic Switch 208 de-energized. The electronic switch is activated by a "start of line" supplied by the printer.

- 33 209847/1183

Signal energized, which indicates the beginning of a certain line to be printed. This electronic switch in turn causes the actuation of an electronic switch 214 via an AND circuit 222. The Parallel output data from the buffer memory 204 is fed to the data input of a plague memory 210.

The read-only memory 210 contains data for the representation of characters and other marks to be printed in Form of multiple columns of markings divided into individual sections. The character to be printed is determined by the data in the buffer memory 204.

The control inputs of the read-only memory 210 are with connected to a digital counter, which has a column clock 212, the electronic switch 214 and a chain of dividers 216, which are shown in FIG Way are connected. The clock works with a certain frequency. The four of the Output signals supplied to the respective dividers 216 generate a digital 4-bit word which contains the number the column of the character to be printed. The clock signal, which is also sent to a modulation input of the

- 34 -

209847/1183

PestSpeichers 210 is applied, generates a carrier signal, so that the memory outputs applied to buffer amplifiers 218 are in the form of carrier pulses to have. The magnetic toner responds to flux gradients so that the carrier signal is an application of the Toner on the entire recorded areas of the magnetic tape and not just on the edges of the recorded Ranges that would be the case when using direct current pulses are permitted.

The buffer memory 204 identifies a character to be printed, while the relevant columns of this character are determined by the control input signals supplied by the dividers 216 to the read-only memory 210. The column data is printed by the memory 210 by selectively energizing the buffer amplifiers 218 and the magnetic head portions associated therewith. ^{After all columns of a specific character have been read out, a "character end n} bit is supplied by the memory 210 via an AND circuit 220 to the charge control circuit 202 and the electronic switch 21 * 1, thereby indicating that a character has ended. Display can be used, for example, to generate characters with changeable

- 35 -

209847/1183

Licher width can be used. Since the end of a certain character is shown, the next character can be used can be started after any time following the receipt of this character return signal. A special Character "signal received by detector 206 causes further printing to be disabled for so long remains until the next start-of-line signal is received. The "character ready" signal is from the line memory 200 supplied and used to energize the AND circuit so that the electronic switch 21 operates * 1 will.

As explained above, facsimile information is printed as a sequence of elements which are optionally arranged along successive lines of the sheet of paper and the received information represent. In the present embodiment, facsimile data is obtained by selectively energizing one of the magnetic head parts of the multi-track magnetic head. As shown in Fig. 9, facsimile data is extracted from the Memory 210 via an OR circuit 22 * 1 to the assigned Buffer amplifier 218 and fed via this to the corresponding head part.

- 36 -

209847/1 183

The line memory 200 stores a plurality of characters which are sequentially sent to the character generator subsequent recording and printing. A storage arrangement that is preferably suitable for this purpose, which is shown in Fig. 10 comprises an array of input character buffers 230 which are terminated with a A plurality of shift registers 232 are coupled, which in turn are coupled to an array of output character buffers 234 are coupled. The shift registers 232 are each an input character buffer and an output character buffer assigned, which each form the first and last stage of the shift register. Leave the shift registers in each case run through the data repeatedly, with the bit in the last shift register stage being returned to the first shift register stage is shifted and passes through the register again. Data words are the input character buffers 230 fed in parallel and in parallel through shift registers 232 to the output character buffers 234, from which the parallel Word can be applied to the load control circuit 202 of the character generator (Fig. 9).

In the illustrated embodiment, for illustration of a character a 7-bit data word and the

- 37 -209847/1183

uses seven shift registers with associated input and output character buffers. The length of the shift register is determined by the desired storage capacity of the line memory; in the present case will be 128 level registers used. A tag shift register 236, which is the same length as the Shift register 232 has an input identifier buffer 238 as an input stage. The output of the label shift register 236 is connected to a control circuit 240, which supplies control signals which the in the Memory display stored first and last characters. The memory operation runs under the control by a Control circuit 242 operated by a clock 244. The clock also provides clock signals to all of them Storage Shift Register.

After receiving a data word applied to the input character buffer and one to the control circuit "Character ready" signal applied by the data source the received data word is loaded into the input character buffer. The label shift register 236 and the License plate buffers 238 have a license plate track, which contains all "zeros" at the beginning. When a character is received, a flag is set, with which it

- 38 2 0 9 8 4 7/1183

is a logical "one" by actuation of the control circuit .2 * 12 in the input flag buffer enrolled. This identifier bit, which runs through the identifier track, provides the indication that the data is located in a specific memory location and controls the loading and unloading of this data from the Memory, which is explained in more detail below.

Data is collected in shift registers 232 as a sequence of characters which make up a block of data form. This block of data can contain a variety of characters to be printed along with line feed commands which have the effect that the printing device advances to the next following line positions. The license plate track contains a flag, which in the present case is a logical "one", in each tag register position which is associated with the corresponding position of the shift register 232 that contain valid data. In those register positions of the identifier register 236, which the positions of the register containing valid data correspond, there is no flag which is a logical "zero".

- 39 -

7/1183

The beginning and the end of a data block can easily be determined due to the unique line storage, namely by sensing an upward transition of the label track from a "zero" to a "one" state, which indicates the beginning of a data block. Data can be entered into memory immediately following the register position containing the last character of the previous data block. The data block is sequentially moved through the shift registers 232 and the first character in the block can be passed to the output character ^{buffers 23 1} J when the buffers 234 are ready to accept these characters, or the data block is re-entered into the shift registers 232 in which the relevant data block is forwarded until the printing device allows this data to be forwarded to the recording head of the printing device.

Under the control of the clock 2 * 14 this becomes first characters entered into input character buffers 230 are shifted through each stage of shift registers 232 until until this character reaches the last level of the register. The flag is in the last Stage of the license plate register 236 by the control

- 40 -2098 ^ 7/1183

circuit 240 is sensed in conjunction with a "next character" signal, transitioning to a "one". State causes the, data from the last stage of the Shift register 232 loaded into output character buffer 234 will.

When the first flag bit is present in control circuit 24o and also a "next character" signal a "first character ready" signal is applied to the control circuit 242, which then sends a "load first character "command to output character buffer 234 and the shifting of characters from the shift registers 232 into the output character buffer. The presence of a "next character" signal in the control circuit 240 indicates that output character buffers 234 contain data and therefore all of the data in the last one Stage of the shift register 232 must be fed back to the first stage of the shift register and not into the Output character buffers can be entered. Moving data into the output character buffers for forwarding to the character generator takes place via the "next character" signal from the plague memory 210, which part of the character generator is.

- 41 -

209847/1 183

Upon receipt of the next character signal by the control circuit 242, the character which is in the shift registers 232 in a location which is determined by the presence of the first flag bit that appears after the "zero" bits from the output the shift register 232 is loaded into the output character buffer. When data is loaded into the output character buffers are, a "zero" is written by the control circuit 240 in the label track to the next Mark the character as the "first character". There is thus one character in the output character buffer and is available for the character generator. A subsequent "next character" is created in the same way loaded into the output character buffer and is available there for the character generator.

The tag track is a simple indicator that there is data in memory and available for use by the character generator. When the license plate track has a transition from experiences a "one" state, the data assigned to this flag form the first character in the Data block which is at the output of the shift register for forwarding to and from the output character buffers

- 42 209847/118 3

is available to the character generator · When the last character in a data block reaches the output of the shift register, the identifier track changes to an ^M zero "state, which indicates that a free memory space is available immediately after the existing data block .

After the initial operation of the memory, there is no data in the identifier track. The logical one Control circuit 242 has a zero detector which indicates a condition in which only zeros are present and during which data can be recorded at any time at the beginning.

The high-speed printing device according to the invention can print both character and facsimile data, with Both types of information can optionally be printed on the same sheet. To generate character data containing code tape or strip, a magnetic tape or punched tape typewriter can be used. The tape or strip is used in conjunction with image or graphic information as a means of delivery of both character and facsimile information to the

- U3 -

209847/1183

transmission to the printing device used. In Fig. 11 a strip reader and 250 and an optical scanner 252 are shown, each at its output are connected to a multiplexer 25 **.

The strip reader 250, which can be a magnetic or an optical reader, reads out the character information encoded on the strip and outputs code signals representing character data to the multiplexer 254, which transmits them to the printing device. The optical scanner 252 comes into action at times which are determined by control signals from the strip ^{reader 250, scans image or graphic information and supplies the multiplexer 25 with 2} J packet simile data for forwarding to the printing device. In this way, a data stream containing character and package information can be fed to the printing device and this can thus be used for printing both types of data. Necessary codes, which indicate the type of data transmitted as well as the beginning of the line and other control codes, can be inserted into its output ^{data stream by the multiplexer 25 1 J.}

The simplicity and effectiveness of the invention

- 44 -209847/1183

Printing device enables it to be used as a data output station by the various users and their use in the household to print out received Information such as stock price subscription receipt and news. It has already been explained above that data from a remote data source with respect to the printing device about each any suitable transmission path can be transmitted to this. A transmission path, which is in particular Suitable for household use is the television receiver that can be found everywhere. According to FIG. 12 can a television receiver 260 and in particular its video amplifier 262 as a transmitter which has a low Power radiates, are used and the information to be printed can be superimposed on a subcarrier, which radiated from the video amplifier 262 without affecting normal television video and audio information will. Other video receivers, such as cathode ray tubes, can also be used as a data emitting device Source used for the printing device according to the invention will.

The emitted subcarrier can easily be via an antenna 26 ¹ I and one of these associated subcarrier

- 45 20984 771 183 '

tfc

detector 266 which generates demodulated data for the operation of the printing device. Using this method does not involve the use of a common carrier or specific lines, nor any Modulator / demodulator equipment required. The printer and its associated subcarrier detector device can be accommodated in the smallest of spaces and thus used in the household or in the office at a price which is affordable for the general public.

Within the scope of the invention, the person skilled in the art can of course also use the exemplary embodiments described a multitude of possibilities for simplification and improvement, both with regard to the structure as well as the mode of operation of the printing device according to the invention.

209847/118

Claims (23)

Claims /!./Magnetic printing device, marked by a magnetic tape (10 or 10a), also by a Tape transport device (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 14 or 12e, 54, 56) for moving the magnetic tape on a specific Path (16), further through a magnetic recording device (18 or 18a) for recording one to data representing printing information on the magnetic tape, furthermore by an erasing device (20 or 20a) for erasing data recorded on the magnetic tape, also by a toner dispenser (22 or 50) for applying a magnetic toner to a recording-bearing areas of the magnetic tape, the further by a data receiving sheet (26 or 26a), a part of which is in a plane position opposite a part of the Magnetic tape is arranged, further by a sheet transport device (30, 32, 36, 38, 40) for movement of the sheet on a certain path (17), also through one near one side of said part of the magnetic tape arranged plate (42 or 42a), moreover by one on the opposite with respect to the plate Side of the mentioned part of the magnet - 47 2098.47 / 1183 transmission device arranged on the band (46 or 46a), by means of which the opposing parts of the magnetic tape and the sheet in one pass after and after can be pushed together over their entire length, whereby the areas carrying a recording the toner located on the magnetic tape is applied to the opposite side of the sheet, and finally by means (37 »39) for fixing the toner applied to the sheet. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (42) consists of an elastic material. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission device (46) is a has elastic part by means of which the magnetic tape (10 or 10a) and the sheet (26 or 26a) can be urged together are. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3 »characterized by one between the transmission device (46) and the blade (26) arranged mopping plate (44) to reduce during the pushing together of the - 48 2098 4.7 / 1 183 Magnetic tape (10) and the sheet undesirably occurring forces to a minimum. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the toner dispenser (22) has a housing (60) containing a toner supply and a device (62, 66) for applying the toner to the recording-bearing areas of the magnetic tape (10 ) and further means (67, 66) for removing the toner from erased areas of the tape and for reintroducing this toner into the housing. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5 »characterized in that the magnetic recording device (18 or 18a) has a recording head (Fig. 5) has that the tape transport device (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 14 or 12e, 54, 56) the magnetic tape (10 or 10a) moved intermittently that further the sheet transport device (30, 32, 36, 38, 40) the sheet (26 or, 26a) moved intermittently, the movements of the belt and the sheet being synchronized, and that finally the plate (42 or 42a) and the transmission device (46 or 46a) the opposite - 49 - 209847/1 183 Then push parts of the magnetic tape and the sheet against each other when the magnetic tape and the sheet each in Are calm. 7 »Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the transmission device has an essentially cylindrical transmission cam (46 or 46a) has, which is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis and with a helical around a certain part of its cylindrical outer surface arranged around bar (48 or 48a) is provided, by means of which the one data recording and the toner carrying part of the magnetic tape (10 or 10a) against the opposite side of the sheet (26 or 26a) can be pushed. 8. Device according to claim 1 and 7, characterized in that the plate (42 or 42 a), which is part of the transmission device (46 or 46a) is on the side of the magnetic tape facing away from the transmission cam is arranged. 9. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the recording head is a multi-track head (Fig. 5) for - 50 - 209 8 47/1 183 Recording of a plurality of identical data marks on the magnetic tape (10 or 10a) is and that the recording device a character forming "logic circuit (82, 84), which the multi-track head to Applying data representing information to be printed onto the magnetic tape is selectively energized. 10. Device according to claim 9 »characterized in that that the recording means includes storage means (104) for storing one or more Has lines of data to be printed. 11. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the bar (48 or 48a) made of elastic Material. 12. Device according to claim 5 »characterized in that the housing (60) is cylindrical and that coaxially within the same a rotatable about the common axis brush (64, 66) is arranged that further in the cylindrical housing wall in the vicinity of that side of the magnetic tape (10) on which the toner is to be applied is, an opening (62) is attached, and that finally - 51 - 209847/1 183 O ok in the cylindrical wall of the housing near said side of the magnetic tape at a point which the toner is to be removed, a further opening (67) is provided, whereby the brush is rotating inside the housing the toner through the one opening onto the areas carrying a recording of the magnetic tape and the toner from the erased areas of the magnetic tape via the further opening removed again so that the toner supply in the housing remains essentially the same 13 · Device according to claim 9 »characterized in that the logic circuit (82, 84) has a memory (200) for a character to be printed, also a counter (212, 214, 216) which supplies digital data representing the columns of a particular character to be printed, and has a plague memory (210) which as a function from the column identifier and from the stored character output signals to the multi-track head (Fig. 5) releases and thereby selectively energizes it. 14. Device according to claim 13 »characterized in that the output signals the recording head (Fig. 5) are supplied as carrier pulses so that - 52 209847/1183 the toner is applied to the entire areas of the magnetic tape (10 or 10a) carrying a recording will. 15. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the recording device has a line memory (104 or 200) for storing a line of data to be printed, also a character generator (120), which on Addresses parallel data from the line memory and the multi-track head (Pig. 5) to record the ones to be printed Data on the magnetic tape (10 or 10a) energized, further a recording head for recording facsimile data in the form of a sequence of identical markings, furthermore a device (112) for forwarding from to printing facsimile data from the line memory to the facsimile head, further a detector (114) to the Determining whether the data in the line memory is character data or facsimile data, and to initiate the transmission of data to the multi-track head or to the facsimile head, and finally one further detector (116) which, depending on data in the line memory, a line feed signal and control signals for setting the line spacing on the sheet (26 or 26a) to the sheet - 53 209847/1 183 transport device (30, 32, 36, 38, 40) delivers. 16. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that-the tape transport device (12e, 54, 56) a on the magnetic tape (10a) resting and rotatable about its axis drive roller (56) which is used to drive the Magnetic tape is cylindrical on its periphery, with the exception of a peripheral portion which is recessed in such a way that the magnetic tape remains at rest once with each revolution of the drive roller. 17. Device according to claim 9 »characterized in that the magnetic recording device with means (Pig. 5A) to compensate for the copy effect between adjacent tracks of the multi-track magnetic head (Pig, 5) is provided. 18. Device according to claim 9 »characterized in that that the logic circuit (82, 84) supplies selected combinations of characters and a memory (104) for data representing two different forms of information to be printed, also means (114) for Recognition of each of these forms of information and for - 54 - 209847/1183 Generation of corresponding control signals depending on the form of information, in addition devices (112), which, as a function of one of these control signals, the signals representing a form of information from the memory forward to the recording device for printing one form of information, and finally one Character generator (120), which as a function of the other control signals and data from the Memory works and data representing the other form of information is sent to the recording device (18 or 18a) for printing the other form of information. 19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the character generator is a matrix data for read-only memory (210) containing each character to be printed, also a device (212, 214, 216) for supplying the permanent memory with a character to be printed characterizing data word, and also a device for supplying the read-only memory with a die Has columns of the matrix data for the assigned character to be printed further data word characterizing, the read-only memory depending on the one - 55 - 209847/1 183 and further data words output signals to the recording device and thus the printing of the selected character in the form of a multi-column character matrix causes. 20. Device according to claim 18, characterized by a circuit (107) for supplying the sheet feed device (30, 32, 36, 38, 40) with line feed signals for optionally feeding the sheet (26 or 26a) depending on the shape of the sheet to be printed Information about a specific route or about a further specific route. 21. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the line feed signal circuit (107) is adapted such that it on the sheet feed means (30, 32, 36, 38, ¹ IO), a signal for returning the sheet (26 or · 26a) in can return a previous line position. 22. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the logic circuit (82, 84) has a device (107) to control the further transport of the sheet (26 or 26a) - 56 - 209847/1 183 after the indicia has been printed and means (116) for supplying the sheet feeder with Line feed signals for feeding the sheet a certain distance when printing character data or by has another certain route in printing facsimile data. 23. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the recording device receives the character and facsimile data as low-energy radiation from a television receiver (260) (Fig. 12). - 57 2 0 9 8 4 7/1183