Patent ID: 6348774
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
A method for operating a plurality of stepping motor modules in a printer or copier, comprising the steps of:with each power unit of the stepping motor modules supplying at least one stepping motor with current impulses, the stepping motor being advanced one step by each current impulse; with the power unit, receiving impulses that are spaced apart from one another in time from a logic assembly of the respective stepping motor module, each edge of the pulses generating a current impulse in the power unit, an interval of the current impulse being calculated from a set of ramp data, whereby, to fix the interval of the respective impulse, the logic assembly reading out items of ramp data that follow one another at predetermined time intervals; making available several sets of ramp data in each logic assembly; in a loading phase, calculating the sets of ramp data centrally in a computer and transferring them via a bus system to the logic assembly; during operation of the stepping motor module, communicating a current set of ramp data to the logic assembly by a control via the bus system; starting conversion of the set of ramp data that has been selected in the logic assembly into impulses with a variable interval by a start signal; and transferring the start signal to the logic assembly via a separate line that is separate from the bus system.