LED-Fiber optic character printer
US4342504A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 1980 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K15/1261
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A relatively narrow printing head scans across photosensitive material and in one scan generates a line of characters thereon. Digital control signals selectively illuminate the LEDs formed within a matrix thereof. A flexible loop of flat fiber optic filaments having their input ends coupled to the LEDs and having their output ends positioned within the print head, enables the use of a relatively small number of fiber optic filaments and yet provides for extremely high-speed recordation of the characters upon the film which contacts the print head. After a line has been photographically recorded, the film is stepped in a direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning of the print head and another line is recorded. An inexpensive and highly accurate print head carriage is disclosed, along with a unique belt drive for driving the carriage without inducing torque therein, owing to possible misalignment of the drive belt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.