Abstract: Method, apparatus, system and circuitry for controlling the paper motion and accumulation at the output of a high speed impact printer or the like. The preferred embodiment includes means for providing stepped motion paper drive at the output of the printer which is synchronously controlled with respect to paper motion within the printer. This stepped motion drive is set at one stepping rate when a print bar of the impact printer is forming characters in a single line of print and this drive is periodically increased when the paper slews between lines of printed text. This novel paper drive technique operates to eliminate excessive pulling force on the paper, conserve print quality thereon, and simultaneously minimizes power consumption in the printer.

Abstract: A circuit and method which are operative to activate a peripheral device, such as a printer, in response to a current surge in a parent device, such as a computer or word processor. The circuit includes a detector which is operative to detect a surge in current demanded by the parent device and further comprises electronic switching circuity, including a comparator, connectec to the detector and responsive to an output signal from the detector for activating the peripheral device immediately after the occurrence of the current surge in the parent device. in this manner, the present invention allows the peripheral device to remain inoperable and quiet and consume no power until such time that it is needed and without requiring an operator to expend the time and effort to turn on a power switch for the peripheral device.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting outgoing telephone calls 10 includes field effect transistors 501, 502, 503, 504 and 505 connected to telephone lines 11 and 12 in a nonpolar configuration. Signal conditioners dual tone multifrequency integrated circuit decoder 301 and operational amplifier 302 are connected to the MPTs. The outputs of dual tone multifrequency integrated circuit decoder 301 and off amp 302 are directed to microprocessor and piggyback ROM combination 101. Microprocessor and piggyback ROM 101 analyze, store and compare subsequent dialed telephone numbers to restrict particular outgoing calls. Microprocessor and piggyback ROM combination 101 is configured to allow or disallow a particular telephone number based upon an area code, and/or the local office exchange code and/or the particular four-digit customer number.