Control system for dot matrix line printer using one print element per character

A control system for a dot matrix line printer having one print element for each character position on the line; a single-line memory stores the data words for a line of characters and those data words are supplied to a character signal generator sequentially to print the dots for an initial matrix position in a c.times.r matrix for all characters, whereupon the print elements are shifted one column increment along the print line. This procedure is repeated for each dot matrix position, the record sheet being advanced one row increment each time c column positions have been printed. After completion of c.multidot.r scans, printing of a full line of characters is complete, the single-line memory is cleared, and the process is started again for the next line of characters, after a line-space feed of the record sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Most dot matrix printers utilize a print head mounted on a carriage that is 
moved across the paper or other record sheet to print a line of 
characters. In some instances, the print head provides a complete array of 
print rods or other print elements, one for each position in the dot 
matrix; in others there is just one column of print elements and each 
character is reproduced by a series of column-increment steps of the print 
head. These printers are somewhat limited in speed of operation because 
the print head must be stepped completely across the record sheet to 
reproduce each line of characters. In addition, printers of this type have 
inherent acceleration and deceleration problems, which increase markedly 
for high print rates and which lead to difficulties in maintaining 
adequate quality in the reproduced characters. 
Dot matrix line printers are also known in the art. A dot matrix line 
printer may provide a full complement of print elements at each character 
position along the line. Alternatively, there may be a single column of 
print elements for each character position, the print elements being 
shifted horizontally through a series of column-increment steps, 
corresponding to the number of columns in the dot matrix, in printing each 
line. For these printers, however, particularly when print rods or other 
impact print elements are employed, costs may be inordinately high due to 
the large number of print elements and print element actuators involved. 
Thus, for a conventional line of eighty characters, using a complete set 
of print elements for a simple 5.times.7 matrix at each character 
position, there are twenty-eight hundred print elements, each requiring 
its own actuator. For a line printer having only a single column of print 
elements at each character position, the eighty-character line requires 
five hundred sixty print elements and five hundred sixty actuators, still 
an excessive number. 
Another form of dot matrix line printer uses just one print element per 
character position. The economy of construction is obvious; only eighty 
print elements and eighty actuators are required to print a complete line 
of text. A dot matrix line printer of this general kind is described in 
Howard et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,544, issued Apr. 4, 1974, which 
constitutes the most pertinent prior art known to the inventor relative to 
the present invention. This type of printer, however, presents substantial 
difficulties with respect to the control system that supplies the 
requisite dot print signals to the print element actuators and that 
controls relative movements between the print elements and the record 
sheet. 
Thus, in the Howard et al printer the print elements are continuously 
cyclically moved parallel to the print line, first in a forward 
(left-to-right) direction and then in a reverse direction, that cyclical 
movement spanning all of the column positions of the matrix. The data 
words representative of one full line of print are initially translated, 
by a character signal generator, for one dot position in the matrix, to 
develop eighty dot position signals that are recorded in a buffer 
register. When the print elements are aligned with the first position 
(column one, row one) in the matrix, all of the dots for all characters 
are printed for that position. Before the print elements reach the next 
column position in the first row, the data words are again translated to 
provided a new set of dot position signals in the buffer register so that 
all of the dots or the second matrix position can again be printed 
simultaneously. This process is repeated for each column of the matrix to 
finish the first row, after which the print elements are cycled back in 
the reverse direction without printing and the procedure is again repeated 
for each column position in the second row of the matrix. The record sheet 
is inclined slightly to the line of the print elements and is advanced 
continuously to afford the requisite spacing between matrix rows. Thus, 
the control system must coordinate continuous movements of the print 
elements and the record sheet and the application of signals to the print 
element actuators through a total of thirty-five individual steps in 
printing one line of characters, when using a 5.times.7 matrix. For a 
larger matrix (e.g. 7.times.9) the number of steps is, of course, much 
larger. 
Coordination and timing in the system of the Howard et al patent is 
achieved by a series of countdown circuits supplied from a clock source 
that actuates a register having a storage capacity of one line of 
characters. This presents the possibility that, if any one of the several 
countdown circuits misses a single count, an entire line of characters can 
be distorted. At the same time, if the separate drives for the record 
sheet and the print elements are the least bit out of synchronism with the 
print element actuator controls, substantial distortion of the characters 
may be experienced. Thus, there is a distinct need for a positive control 
system for a dot matrix line printer of this general kind, a control 
system that affords positive control of each of the thirty-five or more 
stages in the printing of the line of characters such that is any single 
operation occurs asynchronously, subsequent operations will automatically 
return to synchronization. Further, there is a need for positive control 
of the physical movements of the print elements and the record sheet to 
assure accurate location of the dot positions in the matrices that 
constitute the individual characters. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is a principal object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a 
new and improved control system for a dot matrix line printer of the kind 
that employs one print element for each character position along the line. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved control 
system for a dot matrix line printer of the type using one print element 
per character that affords improved accuracy of indexing movements of the 
print elements and the record sheet. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved control 
system for a dot matrix line printer of the kind using one print element 
per character that affords positive control for each column and row 
movement and operation, such that accurate synchronization is assured at 
all times. 
A related object of the invention is to provide a new and improved control 
system for a dot matrix line printer of the type using one print element 
per character that is simple and economical in construction yet highly 
reliable and accurate in operation and permits relatively high speed 
operation of the printer. 
Accordingly, the invention relates to an improved control system for a dot 
matrix line printer that prints characters in a dot matrix of c columns 
and r rows, utilizing an input signal comprising a sequence of data words 
representing characters and auxiliary functions, the printer comprising n 
dot print elements aligned with a record sheet at n spaced character 
positions along a print line, n print element actuators, bidirectional 
column shift means for shifting the print elements forward and backward 
through a predetermined range of column positions along the print line, a 
clock signal source, single-line FIFO storage means for storing a series 
of data words representative of a line of n characters, a character signal 
generator, connected to the output of the single-line storage means, for 
translating each data word representative of a character into a 
r.multidot.c dot position signals, and row scan means and column scan 
means, connected to the character signal generator, for scanning the 
character signal generator to supply the dot position signals to a single 
output circuit in a predetermined line-row-column sequence. In the 
improved control system, the row scan means comprises a counter having r+1 
effective stages, the column scan means comprises a counter having c+1 
effective stages, and the column shift means comprises incremental shift 
means for shifting the print elements by predetermined discrete column 
width steps. The improved control system further comprises line scan 
means, comprising a counter having n+1 effective stages, for connecting 
the dot position signal output circuit to each print element actuator in 
line sequence; incremental sheet feed means for feeding the record sheet 
transversely to the print line in predetermined row width increments; line 
sequence control means for applying the clock signal to the signal-line 
storage means and the line scan means to actuate those means to read out 
data words in line sequence from the single-line storage means to the 
character signal generator in synchronism with advancement of the line 
scan means by one stage for each data word representative of a character; 
column scan control circuit means, connected to the line scan means, the 
column shift means, and the column scan means, for actuating those means 
to shift the print elements forward by one column increment, advance the 
column scan means one stage, and reset the line scan means each time the 
line scan means reaches an effective count of n+1; row scan control 
circuit means connected to the column scan means, the sheet feed means, 
the column shift means, and the row scan means, for actuating those means 
to advance the record sheet one row increment, shift the print elements 
backward to the initial column position, advance the row scan means one 
stage, and reset the column scan means each time the column scan means 
reaches an effective count of c+1; and line start control circuit means 
connected to the row scan means, the sheet feed means, and the single-line 
storage means, for actuating those means to advance the record sheet a 
predetermined number of row increments, clear the storage means, and reset 
the row scan means each time the row scan means reaches an effective count 
of r+1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 illustrates a dot matrix line printer 10 of the kind that employs 
only one print element 17 for each character position on the line. Printer 
10 includes a conventional roller platen 11 supporting a record sheet 12; 
in the illustrated arrangement, it is assumed that the record sheet 12 is 
an impact-sensitive paper. Record sheet 12 may constitute ordinary paper 
if printer 10 is equipped with a ribbon mechanism, or the record sheet may 
take some other form, depending on the kind of print elements used in the 
printer 10. 
A paper feed step motor 14 is connected to platen 11 by a coupling 16. Step 
motor 14 is a part of incremental sheet feed means for feeding record 
sheet 12 by predetermined row width increments, as described more fully 
below. A knob 15 for manual rotation of platen 11 is provided at the 
opposite end of the platen. 
Printer 10 is an impact printer in which the print elements comprise thin, 
relatively stiff, elongated print rods 17. There is one print rod 17 for 
each character position in a complete line of characters 18 extending 
across the record sheet 12. That is, printer 10 includes n print elements 
17 aligned with record sheet 12 at spaced character positions along print 
line 18. Typically, in a printer employing a record sheet 12 with a width 
of 8.5 inches, the number n of character in each line 18 may be eighty; 
however, n can vary to a substantial extent, depending upon the width of 
the record sheet, the size of the individual characters 19, and other 
factors. 
Each print element 17 has its own print actuator 21. In the illustrated 
construction, each print actuator 21 comprises an electromagnet 22 through 
which the print rod 17 extends. An armature 23 is secured to each print 
rod 17. The electromagnets 22 are mounted in a fixed frame 24 having a 
front wall 25 and a rear wall 26; each print rod 17 extends through 
suitable bearings in each of the walls 25 and 26. The extension of each 
print rod 17 beyond the rear wall 26 terminates at a collar 27, a biasing 
spring 28 being interposed between collar 27 and wall 26. 
Printer 10 includes bidirectional column shift means 30 for shifting the 
outer ends of print elements 17 along the print line 18. The column shift 
means 30 includes an elongated print rod guide 31 that extends across 
printer 10 parallel to platen 11 and is spaced only a short distance from 
the platen. The outer end of each print rod 17 projects through a suitable 
bearing in guide member 31. An extension 32 of guide member 31 
incorporates a rack 33 which engages a pinion 34 on the shaft 35 of a 
print rod shift step motor 36. Step motor 36, step motor 14, and 
electromagnets 22 are all electrically connected to a sequence and data 
control unit 40 that controls the operation of printer 10. 
FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which a character, in this instance the 
letter "R", is printed by one of the print elements 17; a 5.times.7 matrix 
is assumed. The print element starts in alignment with the matrix position 
1--1 (row 1, column 1); because a dot is required at this position, the 
electromagnet for that print rod is energized and drives the print rod 
into impact with the record sheet. The print rod is then restored to its 
initial position by the spring 28 (FIG. 1). After the first dot has been 
printed in the character, at matrix position 1-1 (FIG. 2), the print rod 
shift step motor 36 (FIG. 1) is energized to shift the print rod 17 in the 
direction of the arrow 37 (FIGS. 1 and 2) by one column-width increment. 
In fact, all of the print rods 17 are shifted simultaneously by operation 
of guide 31 of shift means 30. With the print rod now aligned with matrix 
position 1-2, FIG. 2, its associated electromagnet is again energized to 
print a dot at this position, since such a dot is required for the letter 
R. The print rod is then shifted another column-width increment to matrix 
position 1-3, another dot is printed, the print rod is deflected to matrix 
position 1-4, where another dot is printed, and the print element is then 
shifted to matrix position 1-5, at which no dot is required and none is 
printed. 
From matrix position 1-5, the print element is next moved to matrix 
position 2-1. This requires two operations. The print rod shift step motor 
36 (FIG. 1) is driven in reverse through a number of column-width 
increments to return the print rod to alignment with the initial column 
position of the matrix as indicated by arrow 38 (FIGS. 1 and 2). If 
forward movement of the print elements (arrows 37) stops at position 1-5, 
four increments of backward movement (arrow 38) are required. If a fifth 
forward incremental shift movement occurs, as in use of the control 
described hereinafter in conjunction with FIG. 3, a fifth increment of 
backward movement is employed. In addition, the paper feed step motor 14 
is energized to rotate platen 11 and advance the record sheet 12 one 
row-width increment in the direction indicated by the arrow 38 in FIG. 1. 
This corresponds to a matrix movement as indicated by the arrow 39' in 
FIG. 2. For printing the second row of the matrix, FIG. 2, the actions 
described above for the printing of dots in the first row are repeated 
except that, in this instance, dots are printed only in matrix positions 
2-1 and 2-5, since these are the only positions that require imprinting 
for the letter R. This procedure is followed through the entire 5.times.7 
matrix shown in FIG. 2, ending with a final movement to bring the print 
element back into alignment with the initial column position as indicated 
by arrow 38'. 
The described procedure prints a complete line 18 of characters 19 across 
record sheet 12. That is, in printing a line of characters each print 
element 17 is effectively moved, relative to record sheet 12, through all 
of the thirty-five matrix positions. Of course, the matrix can be varied; 
the total number of positions in any event is r.multidot.c, where r is the 
number of rows in the matrix and c is the number of columns. The 
incremental column shift movements and return movements are effected by 
shifting of print rod guide 31, whereas the incremental row shift 
movements are effected by rotation of platen 11 to advance record sheet 
12. 
FIG. 3 illustrates a sequence and data control system 40 constructed in 
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Control 
system 40 has an input circuit 41 to which an input signal comprising a 
sequence of data words representing characters and auxiliary functions is 
applied. The specific form of the input signal is not critical; it may 
constitute virtually any conventional data signal for controlling 
teleprinters, data printout devices, and the like. For the purposes of 
this specification, the term "characters" includes any alpha/numeric 
characters or other special symbols to be printed and also blank spaces in 
the line of text. Auxiliary functions represented by other data words may 
include a carriage return code or other code indicative of the end of a 
line of characters, a line feed code, a bell code, font-change codes, and 
others. For convenience, it may be assumed that the data signal supplied 
to input 41 utilizes the American Standard Code for Information 
Interchange (ASCII), but it should be recognized that any other 
appropriate code can be employed. 
Input circuit 41 is connected to a serial-parallel converter circuit 42. 
Whenever the input signal is in serial-by-bit form, as in the ASCII code, 
the converter 42 is required. For an input in the form of parallel bits, 
no serial-parallel converter is needed. In either case, the input presents 
the data signal to control unit 40 on a serial-by-character basis. 
The output circuits 44 of converter 42 are coupled to the input stage of a 
main data store 43. Eight circuit connections 44 are shown from converter 
42 to the input stage of store 43, one channel for each level of the ASCII 
input code plus a control level which is switched to the mark state for 
each spacing character. The capacity of main store 43 must be at least one 
full line of characters to be printed; preferably, store 43 has a capacity 
of at least several lines. 
The output stage of main store 43 is connected to the input stage of a 
single-line first-in, first-out (FIFO) data store 46, to an end-of-line 
detector 47, and to an auxiliary function detector unit 48. Store 46 has a 
capacity sufficient to store the data words representative of one line 18 
of characters to be printed on record sheet 12 (FIG. 1), including a 
reasonable number of auxiliary function codes relating to that line. 
Detector 47 is employed to identify any data word representative of the 
end of a line of printed characters; this may be a carriage return (CR) 
code in the ASCII code or other conventional teleprinter signal. Detectors 
48 may be employed to identify any of a variety of different auxiliary 
function codes, particularly a line feed (LF) code. 
The output stage of the single line store 46 is connected to another 
end-of-line (CR) detector 49, an additional auxiliary function detector 
unit 51, and a character signal generator 52. In system 40, it is assumed 
that store 46 is an eight-level shift register; the output stage of the 
store also has a recirculation connection back to the input stage for 
reasons discussed below. The detectors in unit 51 are utilized to identify 
any data words representative of auxiliary functions. Character signal 
generator 52 constitutes a read-only memory (ROM) for translating data 
words representative of spacing characters into dot position signals as 
required for control of the dot matrix printer. 
Control 40 includes a column scan circuit 54 having five output circuits 53 
connected to character signal generator 52. Circuit 54 is functionally 
illustrated as if it were a rotary scanning switch, but the construction 
employed is actually that of an electronic stepper or counter circuit 
affording a similar scanning action. The purpose of column scan circuit 54 
is to limit the operation of character signal generator 52, at any given 
time, to the output signals corresponding to just one column of the five 
dot matrix columns. However, scanner 54 has an additional stage including 
an output 53-6 used for other control purposes as described below. 
With this limitation, for a 5.times.7 matrix, character signal generator 52 
has just seven data outputs 55 instead of thirty-five. These seven data 
outputs 55 are connected to a row scan circuit 56, again functionally 
illustrated as if it were a rotary selector switch but actually 
constituting an electronic counter circuit of generally equivalent 
operation. Scanner 56 includes an eighth stage with an output connection 
55-8 used for control purposes described below. The dot position signals 
from character generator 52 are brought down, in scanner 56, to a single 
dot position output circuit 58, which is connected to the data input 59 of 
a line scan circuit 61. 
Line scan circuit 61 is again shown as if it were a rotary selector switch 
having an output terminal for each print element in the printer. Assuming 
an eighty character line for the printer, line scan circuit 61 is actually 
provided with eighty-one (n+1) outputs 62. The first eighty stages of line 
scan circuit 61 are individually connected, through a series of driver 
amplifiers 64, to the electromagnets 22 in the print element actuators of 
the printer. Like the column and row scan circuits 54 and 56, line scan 
circuit 61 is constructed as an electronic sequencing circuit and not as 
an electromechanical selector switch. 
Control unit 40, as illustrated in FIG. 3, includes a clock signal source 
66 which generates a continuous flow of stepping pulses at a relatively 
high frequency, preferably about one thousand times the repeat rate for 
the electromagnets 22 employed for print element actuation. The output of 
clock source 66 is connected to one input of each of two AND gates 67 and 
68. The output of gate 67 is connected to a clock or step input for main 
store 43. The output of gate 68 constitutes a stepping (CLK) input to 
single-line store 46. The output of gate 68 is also connected to one input 
of another AND gate 69, the second input to gate 69 being derived from the 
auxiliary function detector unit 51. The output of gate 69 affords a scan 
advance (clock) input to line scan circuit 61. Detectors 47 and 49, OR 
gate 76, flip-flop 77, and AND gates 68 and 69 thus comprise a line 
sequence control for controlling readout of data words from store 46 to 
character generator 52 and advancement of line scan circuit 61, as 
described more fully below. 
The final (n+1) output 62 of line scan circuit 61, which is not connected 
to any of the print element actuators, comprises a column scan control 
circuit 72. Circuit 72 is connected to a "forward" input of a print 
element shift control circuit 71 that is connected to two driver 
amplifiers 73 in turn connected to the reversible step motor 36 employed 
for print element shift movements. Column scan control circuit 72 is also 
connected, through a delay circuit 74, to an advance (CLK) input for 
column scan circuit 54 and to a reset input for line scan circuit 61. The 
output of delay circuit 74 is also connected to one input of an OR gate 76 
having a second input derived from the end-of-line detector 47. OR gate 76 
is connected to the set input of a flip-flop 77 having an output that 
constitutes the second input to AND gate 68. The reset input to flip-flop 
77 is derived from the end-of-line detector 49. 
As noted above, row scan circuit 56 has r+1 stages, one more stage than the 
seven required for the individual rows in a 5.times.7 matrix. The eighth 
stage of row scan device 56 is connected to a line start control circuit 
55-8 that is connected to one input of a paper feed control circuit 79; 
control 79 actuates the paper feed step motor 14 through a driver 
amplifier 81. The line start control circuit 55-8 is also connected to a 
delay circuit 82 that is connected back to a reset input for the row scan 
circuit. The output of delay circuit 82 is also connected to a clearing 
input of the single-line store 46. The output of delay circuit 82 further 
provides a set input, through a further delay circuit 87, to a flip-flop 
85 having an output that constitutes the second input to AND gate 67. The 
reset input to flip-flop 85 is taken from end-of-line detector 47. 
The sixth (c+1) output 53-6 of column scan circuit 54 comprises a row scan 
control circuit that is connected to an advance (CLK) input for row scan 
circuit 56 and to a second input for paper feed control circuit 79. The 
row scan control circuit 53-6 is further connected to a reversing input 
for print element shift control circuit 71 and to a delay circuit 84. The 
output of delay circuit 84 affords a reset input to circuit 54. 
One of the outputs from auxiliary function detector unit 48 is a line feed 
(LF) signal. The line feed output of unit 48 is connected as a third input 
to paper feed control circuit 79. 
Assuming that the input signal on line 41 is an ASCII signal, the received 
serial-by-bit data words are converted to parallel form in converter 42 
and supplied, sequentially by character, to the input stage of the main 
store 43. As noted above, the input to store 43 includes a control level 
which is switched to the "mark" state for each input character. Clock 
pulses supplied to store 43 from source 66 through gate 67 advance the 
data words through store 43 and from the output stage of store 43 into the 
input stage of store 46. Gate 67 is enabled by a signal from flip-flop 85 
upon completion of a previous line of printed characters, as described 
below. Gate 67 passes clock stepping pulses to the output stage of store 
43 and continues the transfer of the data words relating to a new line of 
characters into store 46 until an end-of-line (CR) code is recognized by 
detector 47. Upon detection of the end-of-line code, a reset signal is 
applied to flip-flop 85, cutting off the enabling signal to gate 67 and 
stopping the transfer of data words from main store 43 to single-line 
store 46. 
The end-of-line output signal from detector 47 is also applied to the set 
input of flip-flop 77, through OR gate 76, providing an enabling input to 
gate 68. With gate 68 thus enabled, clock pulses from source 66 are 
supplied to the FIFO single-line store 46 to initiate line-sequential 
application of the data words from the output stage of store 46 to the 
input of character signal generator 52. Each output code from store 46 is 
also supplied back to the input stage of the store, recirculating the data 
words representative of a single line through store 46. In character 
signal generator 52, the input is suppressed for vacant character 
positions in store 46, based on the additional control level noted above. 
The output of data words from store 46 to signal generator 52 stops when 
detector 49 recognizes an end-of-line (CR) code and supplies a reset 
signal to flip-flop 77 to interrupt the enabling signal to gate 68. 
As the data words for the full line of printing are sequentially presented 
to character signal generator 52 from the single-line FIFO store 46, 
printing starts with the scanning circuits 54, 56 and 61 in the operating 
conditions indicated in FIG. 3. Thus, the first dot position output signal 
from signal generator 52 indicates the state of the matrix position 1-1 
(FIG. 2) for the first character to be printed in line 18 (FIG. 1) and is 
supplied to the electromagnet 22 for the first print element 17. A dot is 
printed at the 1-1 matrix position if required for the letter to be 
reproduced at the extreme left-hand end of the line; for the letter R, 
shown at this position in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dot is printed. 
The next clock pulse output from gate 68 (FIG. 3) supplies the next 
character data word to signal generator 52 from store 46; the same clock 
pulse is applied to line scan circuit 61 through gate 69, which normally 
receives an enabling signal from detector unit 51. This pulse advances the 
line scan circuit one stage. The second data word is decoded by character 
signal generator 52 and produces an output on line 58, through row scan 
circuit 56, that indicates whether or not a dot must be printed in the 1-1 
matrix position for the second character in the print line. That dot 
position signal is supplied to the second print element actuator 
electromagnet 22. This procedure is repeated, with a new data word being 
supplied to character signal generator 52 and line scan circuit 61 
advancing one stage in each cycle, until all of the required dots in the 
1-1 matrix positions have been printed for the entire print line 18 (FIG. 
1). 
The last data word in single-line store 46 is an end-of-line code, which is 
identified by detector 49. That code occurs as the line scan circuit 61 
advances to its final stage. At this point, the enabling input to AND gate 
68 is interrupted because flip-flop 77 is reset from detector 49. 
Furthermore, a forward input signal is supplied to print element shift 
control 71 from the final (n+1) stage of line scan circuit 61, actuating 
step motor 36 to shift print element guide 31 one column increment in the 
direction of arrow 37, (FIGS. 1 and 2), in preparation for printing the 
dot elements at the matrix positions 1-2. 
After an appropriate brief delay, sufficient to assure completion of the 
incremental column shift movement of the print elements, a signal from 
delay circuit 74 (FIG. 3) is supplied to column scan circuit 54 to step 
that circuit by one stage. That signal is also applied to the set input of 
flip-flop 77 through OR gate 76 to again enable gate 68. This initiates a 
second application of the data words from single-line store 46, which have 
been recirculated back into the store, to character generator 52 for 
printing of those dots required for the individual characters in the line 
at matrix positions 1-2. This procedure is followed through matrix 
positions 1-3, 1-4, and 1-5 (FIG. 2) to complete the printing for all of 
the columns in the first row of the matrix for all of the characters in 
the line. 
When printing a matrix position 1-5 has been completed, and line scan 
circuit 61 again steps to its final output stage (FIG. 3), the output 
signal from delay circuit 74 supplied to the clock or advance input of 
column scan circuit 54 steps the column scan circuit to its sixth and 
final stage. As a consequence, a clock or advance signal is supplied, via 
circuit 53-6, to the row scan circuit 56 to step that circuit to its 
second stage. This signal is also supplied to paper feed control 79, which 
pulses step motor 14, through driver 81, causing the paper feed step motor 
to advance the record sheet by the one row increment to permit printing of 
matrix row 2 (FIG. 2). The same output signal from column scan circuit 54 
is applied to the print element shift control 71 as a reversing signal; in 
response, control 71 energizes motor 36 for reverse movement back to the 
initial column position of the matrix. Moreover, the completion-of-scan 
output signal from column scan circuit 54 is supplied, through delay 
circuit 84, to the reset input of the column scan circuit 54 to shift that 
stepping circuit back to its first stage, corresponding to the first 
column in the matrix. The print elements and record sheet are thus 
re-positioned, ready to print in matrix position 2-1 (FIG. 2). 
Printing of the second row of dots in the matrix for each character in the 
line is carried out in the same manner as the first row. Thus, with all of 
the print elements 17 aligned with matrix position 2-1 (FIG. 2) the data 
words representative of the line of characters being printed are supplied, 
in sequence, from the single-line store 46 (FIG. 3) to character generator 
52 in response to clock signals applied to store 46 through AND gate 68, 
flip-flop 77 having been reset by the column scan control signal from the 
n+1 output 72 of line scan circuit 61 through delay circuit 74 and OR gate 
76. At this time, column scan circuit 54 is in its first position, row 
scan circuit 56 is in its second position, and line scan circuit 61 steps 
through its eighty (n) stages in synchronism with the application of data 
words to character signal generator 52, the line scan circuit being 
supplied with clock pulses for this purpose through gate 69. 
When the end-of-line character in the stored data is identified by detector 
49, flip-flop 77 is reset to remove the enabling signal to gate 68 and 
interrupt the supply of data words to character signal generator 52, also 
interrupting the stepping (clock) signal input to line scan circuit 61. At 
this point, line scan circuit 61 has been stepped to its final (n+1) 
stage, producing an output signal on column scan circuit 72 that is 
supplied to print element shift control 71; control 71 actuates step motor 
36 to advance the print elements one column width increment. That same 
column scan control signal, passed through delay circuit 74, is supplied 
to column scan circuit 54 to advance that circuit to its second stage. The 
same signal is applied to flip-flop 77 through OR gate 76 to actuate the 
flip-flop and restore the enabling signal to gate 68, initiating printing 
of the dots in the second column position 2-2 (FIG. 2). 
In this manner, the print elements are stepped through each of the dot 
matrix positions in the second row and all of the required dots are 
printed in all of the characters for these matrix positions. When the 
fifth column in the second row has been printed, and column scan circuit 
54 steps to its final (c+1) stage, an output signal on line 53-6 is 
supplied to the row scan circuit 56, the paper feed control 79, the print 
element shift control 71, and the delay circuit 84 that is connected back 
to the reset input of column scan circuit 54. The row scan control signal 
on circuit 53-6 thus actuates system 40 to advance row scan circuit 56 one 
stage, to advance the record sheet by one row width increment, to shift 
the print elements back to the initial column position, and to reset the 
column scan circuit 54. The print elements and record sheet are thus 
repositioned, ready to print in matrix position 3-1, and control system 40 
is conditioned for printing the third row in the matrix for each 
character. The operations of the printer and its control system continue, 
as described above, through the printing of the remaining fourth through 
seventh matrix rows. 
Upon completion of the printing of the final matrix position 7-5 (FIG. 2) 
for the nth character, which completes the printing of the entire line of 
characters, line scan circuit 61 advances one more step to its n+1 stage 
and again produces an output signal on the column scan control circuit 72. 
That signal, as before, actuates the print element shift control 71, 
column scan circuit 54, and line scan circuit 61 to shift the print 
elements forward one column increment, advance column scan circuit 54 
through its final (c+1) stage, and reset line scan circuit 61. With column 
scan circuit 54 advanced to its final stage, an output signal is developed 
on row scan control circuit 53-6 and is applied to sheet feed control 79, 
print element shift control 71, row scan circuit 56, and column scan 
circuit 54, actuating those circuits to advance the record sheet one row 
increment, shift the print elements back to the initial column position, 
reset column scan circuit 54, and advance row scan circuit 56 to its final 
(r+1) stage. Since row scan circuit 56 is now advanced to its final stage, 
an output signal is developed on line start control circuit 55-8 and is 
supplied to sheet feed control 79, single line store 46, flip-flop 85, and 
row scan circuit 56. 
The line start control signal actuates paper feed control 79, supplying a 
predetermined number of pulse signals to the paper feed step motor 14, 
through amplifier 81, to advance the record sheet through a line feed 
space. Usually, the line feed space is at least three or four steps of the 
step motor, assuming one step to constitute a row width increment. The 
line start control signal from circuit 55-8 resets row scan circuit 56 to 
its initial stage. The same signal is applied to the "clear" input of 
store 46 to clear that storage register. Finally, after additional delay 
in circuit 87, the line start control signal from circuit 55-8 sets 
flip-flop 85 to supply an enabling signal to AND gate 67 and initiate the 
transfer of data words representative of a new line of characters from 
main store 43 to single line store 46. It will be recognized that this 
series of operations conditions the printer for printing of a new line of 
characters, which proceeds as described above. 
Auxiliary function codes included in the input to control system 40 (FIG. 
3) do not upset the necessary synchronism between the readout of data 
words representing characters to the character signal generator 52 and the 
advancement of line scan circuit 61. Any data word representative of a 
non-print function is detected by the circuits of unit 51 and interrupts 
the normal enabling signal supplied to AND gate 69 in the line sequence 
control that supplies clock signals to line scan circuit 61. Thus, line 
scan circuit 61 is not advanced by a clock pulse coincident with a data 
word that does not represent a character. At the same time, the auxiliary 
function codes are ignored in character signal generator 52, based on the 
added control level in the code referred to above. The auxiliary function 
data words are also detected in circuit 48 for such purposes as actuating 
a bell, or the like. 
The data input to system 40 may include separate line feed codes to obtain 
additional spacing between lines of characters. Any line feed data word is 
identified in circuit 48 and provides an output signal, on line 88, that 
is supplied to paper feed control 79. This signal actuates paper feed 
control 79 to supply a predetermined number of pulses to step motor 14 to 
advance the record sheet by a line space. 
FIG. 4 illustrates a construction that may be employed for row scan circuit 
56; the same type of circuit is readily adaptable to column scan circuit 
54 and line scan circuit 61. As shown in FIG. 4, row scan circuit 56 may 
comprise a conventional electronic counter 89 of eight (r+1) stages having 
a stepping (CLK) input derived from the row scan control circuit 53-6 and 
having a reset input derived from the delay circuit 82 in the line start 
control circuit 55-8 (FIG. 3). Counter 89 has eight output terminals; the 
first seven output terminals are each connected to one input of a series 
of AND gates 91-97. The second input to each of these AND gates is one of 
the seven output leads 55 from character signal generator 52. The outputs 
of all of the AND gates 91-97 are connected together to the one output 
circuit 58 that supplies dot position signals to line scan circuit 61. 
The remaining eighth (r+1) output terminal of counter 89 is connected to a 
Schmitt trigger or other pulse-forming circuit 99 having its output 
connected to the line start control circuit 55-8. In operation, counter 89 
steps from its first stage to its eighth stage in response to row scan 
control signals supplied from circuit 53-6. When it reaches the final 
(r+1) stage, an input signal is applied to Schmitt trigger 99, which 
generates a pulse signal 101 employed for line start control purposes. 
Whenever counter 89 is actuated to any stage other than the final stage, 
it supplies a continuous enabling signal to one of the AND gates 91-97 so 
that the particular gate which is enabled will pass dot position signals 
from character signal generator 52 to line scan circuit 61. 
No specific circuit has been illustrated for line scan device 61 because 
that circuit can be essentially similar to circuit 56, FIG. 4. Thus, line 
scan device 61 may be constructed as an electronic counter having 
eighty-one (n+1) stages. The first eighty stages of the counter may be 
each connected to one input of a corresponding AND gate, the AND gate for 
each stage having a second input derived from the dot position signal 
circuit 58. The output of each AND gate is then connected to one of the 
driver amplifiers 64 (FIG. 3). The final (n+1) stage of the counter is 
connected to a Schmitt trigger circuit or other pulse-forming circuit, 
just as in FIG. 4, and affords the column scan control output for circuit 
72. 
The column scan device 54 may be of even simpler construction, constituting 
simply an electronic counter of six (c+) stages. The first five (c) 
counter stages are connected directly to character signal generator 52. 
The final (c+1) stage is again connected to a Schmitt trigger or other 
pulse-forming circuit to provide the requisite row scan control signal for 
circuit 53-6. 
It will be recognized that it is not really essential to have a final 
discrete +1 stage for the counters in the individual scan circuits 54, 56 
and 61. Thus, referring to column scan circuit 54, the row scan control 
output for line 53-6 can be derived from the fifth (c) stage of the 
counter through a suitable delay circuit if desired. The same arrangement 
can be used for row scan circuit 56 and line scan circuit 61, taking the 
control output from the last (r or n) operating stage of the counter 
through an appropriate delay circuit. In effect, the delay circuit in each 
instance then constitutes an additional (+1) stage for the counter. 
Furthermore, the interconnections between column scan circuit 54, character 
signal generator 52, and row scan circuit 56 are subject to other 
variations while maintaining the basic attributes of system 40. Thus, the 
two scan circuits can be reversed in relation to the character signal 
generator, with the rwo scan circuit supplying selective enabling inputs 
to the character signal generator and the column scan circuit employed for 
selective connection of the dot position signals to the single dot 
position output circuit 58. In another variation, the usual r.multidot.c 
outputs from character signal generator 52 may be utilized, with both 
column and row scan circuits coming after the character signal generator. 
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the control system 
of the present invention provides highly accurate indexing movements of 
both the print elements 17 and the record sheet 12 (FIG. 1). Both are 
truly incremental movements effected by stepping motors, motor 14 for 
advancing record sheet 12 and motor 36 for column shifts of the print 
elements. There is no requirement for matching continuous movements of 
either the record sheet or the print rods with the timing of the print rod 
actuators 21, thus eliminating a substantial likelihood of character 
distortion from that source. 
At the same time, the control system of the invention affords positive 
control from each column and row movement and operation for line printer 
10. Thus, the clock signals that control the transmission of data words 
from single line store 46 to character signal generator 52 also directly 
control the step-by-step advancement of line scan circuit 61. Column scan 
circuit 54 is advanced only in response to a column scan control signal on 
line 72 that affords a positive indication that a line scan operation has 
been completed by circuit 61 and a new column position must be scanned. 
This same kind of positive control is applied to the operation of print 
element shift control 71 is advancing the print elements one column width 
interval at the end of each line scan. 
The same level of positive control is also provided for row scan movements 
and operations. Thus, the advancement of record sheet 12 by one row 
increment is actuated only when column scan circuit 54 has counted to its 
c+1 level and produces an output signal on circuit 53-6. That same 
positive control signal advances row scan circuit 56 one stage and also 
actuates print element shift control 71 to return the print elements to 
the first column position, as well as resetting column scan circuit 54. 
Completion of a full line of characters is positively indicated by 
advancement of row scan circuit 56 to its final (r+1) stage, the resulting 
output signal on circuit 55-8 directly controlling the operations and 
movements necessary to the preparation of the printer for printing of a 
new line of characters. 
FIG. 2A illustrates a modified pattern that may be employed in the printing 
of the individual characters by line printer 10. In this arrangement, the 
first row of dots is printed in the same manner as described above, with 
the print elements being advanced by one column width increment, as 
indicated by arrows 37, each time a line scan is completed. From matrix 
position 1-5, however, there is no return of the print elements to the 
initial column position. Instead, only the row width incremental movement 
of the paper sheet (arrow 39') is provided and the second row of dots is 
printed in reverse through a series of column width incremental movements 
indicated by the arrows 137. This same pattern is followed in completing 
the scan of the entire matrix, and ends with a final return movement, 
arrow 38', to ready the printer for the next line of characters. 
To achieve printing in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2A, it is necessary 
to modify control system 40 (FIG. 3) for certain reversing operations. 
Thus, line scan circuit 61 must comprise a reversible counter and this 
also true of column scan circuit 54; row scan circuit 56 requires no 
modification. In addition, for this modification of the system, the 
single-line store 46 preferably constitutes a random access memory with 
provision for reversing the sequence of readout for alternate rows in the 
printing operation. Of course, the logic circuitry requires some revision 
to afford appropriate sequencing of the operations of memory 46 and scan 
circuits 54 and 61, but those revisions are well within the capability of 
those of normal skill in the art.