Abstract: Three fixed optical sensing devices are positioned to sense the left and right margins as well as the center location of high speed printer carriage travel. Signals from the sensing devices are fed to programmed carriage logic control circuits which effect rapid carriage movements relative to the center location as well as the traditional left and right margin locations. Printing time of certain forms is greatly reduced by minimizing unnecessary carriage return to the left margin location.

Abstract: The present mechanism includes a vertically moving platform which raises and lowers a printing ribbon relative to the moving printhead of a printer. When the printhead is at its home position, the platform is at its raised position thereby locating the lowermost portion of the ribbon at the printhead. As the printhead starts to move during its printing cycle, the platform will progressively lower so that when the printhead is at the center of its travel, the platform will be in its lowered position, thus locating the uppermost portion of the ribbon at the printhead. As the printhead continues to the end of its travel, the platform will end up at its raised position thus locating the lowermost portion of the ribbon at the printhead. This raising and lowering of the platform presents the ribbon to the printhead in overlapping arched patterns, thereby utilizing the full width of a printing ribbon.

Abstract: An apparatus matches control code signals and data signals between data processing units which employ different control code formats. The interface is especially suitable for use between a computer bus interface and a controller or between two separate controllers. It employs read-only memory circuits which convert control code signals from the computer bus into discrete controls and commands compatible with the code format of the controller. The read-only memory circuits are programmable to allow looping programs to be implemented.

Abstract: A master keyboard terminal is provided to communicate with a programmable control unit. Auxiliary keyboard terminals are connected to the master terminal, and utilize a substantial portion of the logic circuitry located in the master terminal. Auxiliary terminals may be scanned by the master terminal and data entered on the auxiliary terminals are communicated, through the master terminal, to the programmable control unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided for printing on a document or bank passbook which has affixed thereto a magnetic stripe on which information with respect to the print operation is written and/or read by a magnetic head scanning assembly. The printing apparatus includes a document holder for accommodating the document to be printed on, and an automatic line positioning device in the form of a stepper motor to move the holder, and accordingly the document, to the line to be printed on as recorded on the magnetic stripe, at which time the platen is advanced against the document, and the data printed on the line by the print head. The magnetic head scanning assembly at beginning-of-stripe position is retracted from the magnetic stripe on the document, and when actuated, advances the head to contact the magnetic stripe to read data on the stripe.