Patent Document ID: 4684270
Application ID: 06720332
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A serial matrix font type printer for printing dot matrix type graphics displays in response to print data, comprising: a frame; a platen mounted within the frame; a carriage slidably mounted on the frame to allow lateral reciprocating motion with respect to the frame along the platen; and serial matrix printing head means mounted on the carriage, including mounting means for coupling the printing head means to the carriage; carrier means coupled to the mounting means for supporting type elements; print element means operatively coupled to the carrier means for printing at least graphics images formed of dot patterns of a designated length, said print element means including at least two shorter dot pattern segment series, the total length of said shorter dot pattern segment series being equal to the designated length, each of said shorter dot pattern segment series have a series of type elements on the carrier means corresponding to each printable dot pattern combination of the corresponding shorter dot pattern segment series; and driving means for dividing the print data of the designated length into at least two shorter dot patterns segment series and moving said carriage to a desired position along said platen and selecting a desired type element to be in the printing position in opposition to said platen and impacting such type element against said platen and repeating selection of type elements and impaction of such type elements for each type element to be printed at the desired position; the type elements being positioned on the carrier means to avoid overlap when type elements corresponding to different shorter dot pattern segment series are printed at a single desired position; said driving means moving said carriage from said desired position only after each of the type elements to be printed at said desired position are printed; whereby dot matrix type graphics can be printed using a serial matrix font type printer.