Abstract: A thermal-image-transfer recording apparatus which heats a thermally fusible ink sheet in a selected pattern and transfers the image formed to a superimposed recording sheet, has separate units for holding the ink sheet and the recording sheet. The units engage for recording and disengage when not recording. The recording and ink sheets travel along separate passages in their respective units. A platen roller is disposed in one of the units, and the recording head in the other unit.Problems due to deformation by heat and humidity are overcome by the disclosed arrangement.

Abstract: A multi-pen type plotter printer is disclosed in which a desired character or graphic pattern is produced on the monitor paper by a selected one out of plural pens arranged in the carriage in accordance with an information signal, comprising a hammer slidably and pivotally disposed on the carriage for actuating the selected pen into contact with the surface of the paper for plotting while the carriage and the platen are moved. A blade member is pivotally disposed which has a dimension wider than the width of the effective plotting range and is rotated in either direction to rotate the pusher in the same direction so as to cause the pusher to move toward and away from the pen.

Abstract: A pen-recording apparatus for writing on a sheet of recording medium on a rotatable platen, with plural pens movable with a carriage along the platen. The apparatus comprises a pen-holding head which is supported by the carriage rotatably about an axis perpendicular to a line of movement of the carriage, and which holds the plural pens such that axes of the pens are evenly spaced from each other circumferentially of the head, and such that the pens are axially movable toward and away from the platen. The carriage rotatably supports a pinion coupled to the pen-holding head to transmit a rotary motion to the pen-holding head. The apparatus further comprises a rack member including a rack which is disposed parallel to the platen and engageable with the pinion to rotate the pinion when the carriage is moved in one of opposite directions along the platen.

Abstract: A plotter-printer includes a carriage assembly which is reciprocatingly movable along a platen, and the carriage assembly is comprised of a carriage main body, a plurality of pens movably mounted on the carriage main body in a predetermined pattern such that they are normally located at a retracted position where no printing takes place and selectively moved to an advanced position where printing takes place when actuated and at least one actuating lever pivotally supported on the carriage main body for selectively actuating the pens. In the preferred embodiment, the pens are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows which are spaced apart from one another in a direction normal to the direction of movement of the carriage assembly and a like plurality of actuating levers are provided, one for each of the rows.

Abstract: A pen-recording apparatus capable of recording not only regular letters, but also special letters each of which consists of the regular letters slightly shifted relative to each other. The apparatus comprises a platen supported rotatably to hold a sheet of paper, a pen movable along the platen, a platen drive to rotate the platen, and a pen drive to move the pen. The apparatus further comprises a primary control device for controlling the platen and pen drives to cause movements of the pen and the sheet of paper relative to each other for writing on the paper a first element which is the regular letter, and a secondary control device for controlling the drives, after completion of writing of the first element, to bring the pen to a starting position of a second element which is the same regular letter as the first element, the starting position of the second element being shifted by a predetermined distance from that of the first element in a selected direction.

Abstract: In a pen type plotting apparatus, a pen type X-Y recording mechanism is provided for driving a carriage supporting a pen, a recording paper and the pen to their operative positions. The driving operation of the X-Y recording mechanism is controlled by a recording control portion comprising a recording control means which provides a first operational mode for carrying out an ordinary recording operation and a second operational mode for reprinting a predetermined amount of initially recorded patterns for a predetermined number of times, and means for selecting the second operational mode when a recording operation is initiated by turning a power source for the apparatus to on.

Abstract: A reading and recording apparatus uses the moving force of the recording/reading head, instead of a separate drive source such as a solenoid, to effect up and down movement of the head, and also maintains the head in a retracted position during a reading operation, thereby reducing the power consumed by the apparatus. The construction of the inventive apparatus is simplified by effecting movement of the head between recording and retracted positions in response to the movement accompanying the scanning of the head and the scanning position of the head.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an arm deflecting drive system for strip chart recorders. The drive system mechanism includes a variable resistance structure which produces a position signal indicative of the angular position of the deflecting arm, which signal is proportional to the tangent of the position angle of the arm. The drive mechanism further includes a differential amplifier receiving both the position signal and a reference signal and generating a deflection signal related to the difference between the reference and position signals. In accordance with the invention, the variable resistance structure may include a track of electrically resistant material contoured to provide the tangential relationship between the position signal and the position angle or, alternatively, the track may be formed from an inhomogeneous material to provide such tangential relationship.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording on a recording paper characters and symbols as well as graphs based on pattern data stored in memories by actuating keys of a keyboard section. The recording of a character or symbol is effected by moving a writing instrument relative to the recording paper, and an upright position or a lying position may be selected as a recorded posture of the character or symbol. The recording apparatus includes a writing instrument restoring device which enables the writing instrument to be automatically restored, when the recorded posture is switched from the lying position back to the upright position from which it was previously switched to the lying position, to a position on the recording paper in which the writing instrument was disposed when the recorded posture was previously switched from the upright position to the lying position.

Abstract: A pen recorder is provided with a holder base and a hammer base which are movable along a platen. A plurality of pens are mounted in parallel on the holder base. A hammer for pressing any one of the pens is mounted on the hammer base. One of the bases is driven by a driving means such as a pulse motor. Moreover, a lock mechanism is provided for connecting the holder base and the hammer base. Thus, it becomes possible to select the pen to be pressed by the hammer through the movement of relative position between the bases effected by the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A pen changing apparatus for a plotter is disclosed. A plurality of pens are mounted on a carriage in alignment with the axial direction of a shaft which is provided on the carriage as the sliding axis thereof. A guide shaft is fixed onto the carriage in the same direction as the shaft. A sliding lever for pressing any of the plurality of pens is provided on the guide shaft such as to be movable in the axial direction of the guide shaft and rotatable around the guide shaft. A solenoid rotates the sliding lever so as to press down a desired pen at the position where the sliding lever is located in resistance to a pen lifting spring or restore the pen to its original position by the urging force of the pen lifting spring.

Abstract: A graphic recording system wherein a plurality of recording elements are carried by a carriage, the carriage being movable in two directions along a path relative to a recording medium. An actuator selectively actuates the recording elements by mechanical engagement for recording on the medium. A rod having a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the path is supported, independently of the carriage, for rotation about its axis. An actuator arm is carried by the rod for rotation with the rod while being movable along the rod axis. Detents selectively interlock the actuator and carriage in predetermined relative positions. In a preferred embodiment, the detents are formed of slots within the carriage in predetermined relationships with the recording elements and a key rotatable with the actuator arm into and out of the slots.

Abstract: A pen recording apparatus provided with a plurality of ball point pens of different colors, and a pen section mechanism for selecting a suitable ball point pen for writing characters, symbols, etc., and drawing graphs. The recording apparatus can be switched between a typing mode, in which characters, symbols, etc., are typed, and a graphic mode, in which graphs are drawn. The recording apparatus includes a writing control device whereby, when the recording apparatus is switched from the graphic mode in which a graph is drawn in a plurality of colors to the typing mode, a ball point pen of the color originally disposed in the writing position when the recording apparatus was switched previously from the typing mode to the graphic mode is automatically disposed in the writing position, regardless of the colors of the ball point pens used in the graphic mode.

Abstract: A cassette containing a printing head removably installed in an ink jet printing machine. The cassette includes a housing which encloses the printing head in a protective manner when the cassette is removed from the machine and when the cassette is installed in the machine and the printing head is in an inoperative position. The head and housing are provided with locking elememts for securing the head in the housing when the cassette is to be removed.The machine includes a carriage for moving the printing head past a record carrier during printing operations, locking elements for locking the printing head onto the carriage when the cassette is installed in the machine, a receptacle for holding the housing in the machine, and a mechanism for releasing the locking elements when the printing head is in the inoperative position to permit removal of the cassette from the machine.

Abstract: A bi-directional pen plotter includes two pen stables and a pen holder located between the two pen stables for snatching a pen from either pen stable and for inserting a pen into either pen stable. There are four distinct stops to the motion of the pen holder at each pen stable depending on the four possible combinations of pen locations. Measuring the relative distances travelled by the pen holder in an initialization procedure the positions of all of the pens in the system may be determined uniquely.

Abstract: A pen recorder comprising a pen which is adapted to be placed in contact with a recording paper, a return spring which is capable of energizing a pen so that it is separated from the recording paper and a push-out means which pushes the pen so that it can be placed in contact with the recording paper. This push-out means includes a push-lever urging the pen towards the recording paper against a spring force larger than that of the return spring. During the printing operation, this push-lever is separated from the roller, while during the waiting condition, it engages the roller. Accordingly, stabilized pen feed rate and contact pressure of pen can be realized during printing operation.

Abstract: A mechanism for driving a pen recorder includes a carriage movable with respect to a recording sheet, a pen holder rotatably mounted on the carriage and carrying a plurality of pens, the pen holder having a writing position in which one of the pens at a time can be located, the pen holder including a rotatable pen selector mechanism, a hammer swingably mounted on the carriage for pressing one of the pens in the writing position toward the recording sheet, a motor, a cam rotatably by the motor, a lever for actuating the hammer, the lever having a portion held in sliding contact with the cam, so that the hammer can be driven by the cam, an intermittent gear rotatable in unison with the cam, and a driven gear held in mesh with the intermittent gear and having a shaft coupled with the rotatable pen selector mechanism.

Abstract: A releasable pen block guide for releasably holding the pen block carriage of an X-Y plotter against the track during horizontal traverse movement. A first pair of wheel sets disposed in 90.degree. relationship are rigidly attached to one side of the pen block so as to guide the pen block carriage along the track when held in contact with one of the edges of the track. A pair of second, double, bogey-mounted wheel sets similarly aligned are carried by the pen block carriage and adapted for movement between a first position in contact with the other of the edges of the track and a second position out of contact with the other of the edges of the track and spaced from the first wheel sets sufficiently to allow the pen block carriage to be removed from the track.

Abstract: A pen for use in a graphics plotter employing a turret head with optical scanning of the pens. The upper portion of a cylindrical pen body having a centrally located guide ridge for positioning the pen in the gripping arms is provided with a retaining ridge, a support ridge, and a stop shoulder over which a sleeve is removably snap fit. The sleeve is provided with a reflective tape outer surface heat-bonded to the sleeve.

Abstract: A pen capping mechanism for use in an X, Y graphics plotter, or the like, having a plurality of pens with writing tips requiring sealing between periods of use. A flat bar of plastic is provided as a slider member with an upper surface adapted to sealably mate with the tips of the pens. The slider member is supported for longitudinal movement on a support track and is moved between positions by an operator connected thereto. The member has a plurality of bores therethrough through which respective ones of the pen tips can pass in order to write. The bores are positioned such that as the member is moved through the various operative positions, respective ones of the bores come into alignment with a pen tip such that only one pen tip at a time is in alignment with one of the bores.

Abstract: A print head carriage assembly is provided which is especially suitable for use in a thermal dot matrix character printer. The assembly includes a belt, which in one embodiment is formed of laminations of film. The belt is formed into a loop with a free end by a tensioning device; the belt loop tautly passes around a pair of guides, one of which is bidirectionally rotatable to transport a print head clipped to the loop between the two guides and across a platen. The control signals to the print head are passed via conductors affixed to the belt from the free end of the belt to the print head.

Abstract: A pen recorder has two movable bases adapted to be movable in directions along a platen, one of the bases being driven in directions along the platen. A plurality of pens are mounted in parallel on one of the bases, and a hammer is mounted on the other base for pressing any one of the pens toward the platen. The base which is not driven has a lock lever adapted to engage with a plurality of portions of the base which is driven. The base which is not driven further has an urging lever for driving the lock lever. The urging lever is slidably mounted on a pen changeover shaft rotated by a driving mechanism. The pen recorder further has a spring for urging the lock lever in the locking direction, as well as forcing the urging lever to abut against the lock lever in the unlocking direction. Also disclosed is a method of setting the initial position of the pen recorder.

Abstract: A pen changer for use in an X-Y plotter which plots on a paper. The pen changer includes a frame and a shaft supported thereon. The carriage is supported on the shaft and guided thereby. The carriage includes a plurality of recording pens. The pen changer includes a frame and a shaft supported thereon. The carriage is supported on the shaft and guided thereby. The carriage includes a plurality of recording pens arranged along the axial direction of the shaft. The carriage moves essentially perpendicular to the paper. A hammer is axially movable on the shaft in response to movement of the carriage. A changing mechanism positions the hammer with respect to a selected one of the plurality of recording pens so the hammer can select the selected recording pen to plot on the paper.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprising a paper feed device for feeding a recording paper in forward and reverse directions; a carriage for supporting a writing tool and being movable perpendicularly to the feed direction of the paper; a carriage drive device for driving the carriage; a writing tool drive device for driving the writing tool towards the recording paper; a character pattern generator for generating character patterns; a control device for reading out corresponding character pattern data on basis of record data and driving the carriage drive device and the writing tool drive device to control the paper feed device, in response to the character pattern data; change means for changing lateral and longitudinal directions of recording; and means for mutually changing drive signals to be supplied from the control device to the paper feed device and the carriage drive device, respectively, on the basis of the change means, whereby direction of recording can be simply and readily changed.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a ball-point pen as the recording means and rotatably supports a roll of printing paper on a shaft provided on the side surface of the main body of the electronic apparatus, wherein the shaft to support the printing paper is made hollow inside, a cap is fitted in each opening at both ends of the shaft in a freely openable and closable manner so as to enable spare ball-point pens and a ball-point pen removed from a carriage of the electronic apparatus, when it is not in use, to be housed inside it.

Abstract: According to the present invention, appearance of a white space line produced on record can be prevented, and such white space line is produced due to excessive travel of a recording paper in the case when recording information to be inputted is interrupted. In the present invention, for the sake of attaining such advantageous effect as mentioned above, either additional recording for 1 line is carried out on the basis of the recording information of the last recording, or additional recording for 1 line is effected on the basis of the recording information of the last recording or the recording information which was newly received during a period after the following recording information was received and before the recording paper starts travel thereof for recording in the case when a period of time from the last recording for 1 line to reception of the following recording information exceeds an expected value.

Abstract: A self-propelled drawing device is driven by two independent wheels whose axes are fixed, and has a writing tip which marks the drawing medium at a point which is not on the imaginary line joining the points of contact of the wheels with the drawing medium. The drawing device is connected to a stationary control device by flexible conductors in the form of a ribbon whose width lies in a vertical plane. Instead of a drawing device, the device can be arranged as a tracing device with counters on the wheels and a tracing tip instead of the writing tip.

Abstract: A sheet pressing mechanism in a pen type recording device including a rotatable platen and a pen adapted to move in the axial direction of the platen while contacting the platen, in which pressure rollers are brought into contact with outer peripheral surfaces of end portions of the platen, the pressure rollers being rotatably mounted on a support shaft extending in parallel with the axis of the platen, and in which the said outer peripheral surfaces of the end portions of the platen are formed of a soft material capable of being depressed by the contact pressure of the pressure rollers.

Abstract: A turret head for use in a graphics plotter for holding a plurality of liquid ink pens adjacent the point of writing and for selectively changing the pens to be the writing pen. Automatic pen tip capping and uncapping is included. A plurality of spaced radial arms are mounted on a turret driven by a stepping motor between main positions. A pen holder assembly is mounted for vertical movement between raised and lowered positions and carries a pen gripping arm thereon. The pen gripping arm is adapted to move vertically between the radial arms of the turret and beneath them as the turret is rotated. The arms are provided with facing releasable gripping fingers for exchanging pens between arms upon contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-color pen recording device suitable for a data recording instrument in which a rotary drum supporting a plurality of different colored pens around its periphery is mounted on a carriage which can be driven laterally across the recording paper, which can itself be driven longitudinally, so that the longitudinal axes of the rotary drum and the pens are perpendicular to the paper. The rotary drum is rotated under the guidance of a control system until the selected pen is in the writing position, and then a pen pressing means presses that pen towards the recording paper so as to touch it, so that as the recording paper is driven longitudinally and the carriage is driven laterally, the data can be drawn by the selected pen on the paper.

Abstract: A sheet guide mechanism in a recording device including a rotatable platen and a recording member opposed to the platen, comprising pressure rollers adapted to come into pressure contact with the platen for pressing down a recording sheet, and a guide plate extending from a lower portion of a recording side of the platen in a direction opposite to the recording side past below the platen, the guide plate having windows formed therein for avoiding the pressure rollers and guide pieces formed on edges in a sheet inserting direction of the windows, the guide pieces being bent in a direction away from the platen.

Abstract: In the calligraphic printing apparatus disclosed herein, a writing stylus is carried by a flexing suspension including a pair of generally orthogonal arms, each arm being driven by a respective servo system which responds to stored data representing characters to be written. The naturally arcuate path defined by each arm is substantially linearized by mixing into the drive signal for each servo system a compensating signal which is a function of the absolute value of the position signal controlling the servo system for the other arm.

Abstract: A multi-color pen recorder having a carriage adapted to be shifted transversely of a recording paper and carrying a rotary drum which holds a plurality of pen means of different colors. Pen projecting means are provided to press and project only the pen means located at a predetermined printing position, toward the recording paper. The rotational driving of the rotary drum for the selection of the pen means is achieved by the power derived from the power source for shifting the carriage.

Abstract: A pen recorder has a carriage movable across a sheet of print paper and supporting a rotatable drum with a plurality of pen units mounted thereon. The carriage is movable between a pair of side frames through a print region and a nonprint region. When the carriage is moved by a stepper motor into abutment against one of the side frames which provides a stopper position, the relationship between the phase of the stepper motor and the position of the carriage is determined. Each time a print cycle is finished, the carriage is returned to a home position which is at the other end of the nonprinting region. A desired pen unit can be selected by reciprocating the carriage in an interval within the nonprint region, the interval being spaced from a preset number of increments of angular movement of the stepper motor.

Abstract: A serial printer for printing on a thermosensitive recording medium. The printer includes a frame having a carriage supported thereon for lateral movement across the recording medium. A thermal print head is supported on the carriage for lateral displacement therewith for printing on the recording medium. A platen is supported on the frame for supporting the recording medium so that the print head can be pressed against the recording medium to effect thermal printing thereon. A motor having a relatively flat configuration is supported on the frame and includes a vertical rotatable shaft which is rotated by the motor. A drive gear system is operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft of the motor for selective rotation thereby in opposite directions in response to rotation by the motor. A conversion mechanism converts rotation of the drive gear into lateral movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A graphic recording system wherein multiple recording elements are moved relative to a recording medium. The recording elements are selectively actuated for recording on the medium. A carriage supports the recording elements with the carriage and a recording element actuator being supported for movement relative to the recording medium and each other. During recording on the medium, the relative movement between the carriage and actuator is prevented.

Abstract: A drawing pen exchanging device for transferring a drawing pen between a drawing head (4) and a drawing pen magazine (5) in a computer controlled drawing device. The drawing pen (7) is held against a stationary holding area in the drawing head (4) with the aid of a spring holding element (14) and against a stationary receptacle area (11, 12) in the drawing pen magazine (5) by means of a spring-pressure element (24). Through a sliding cooperation with a guide (25) provided to the side of the stationary holding area (21,22), the holding element (14) is swung out to transfer the drawing pen (7) from the drawing head (4) into the drawing pen magazine (5) and the drawing pen (7) then will be held back by the pressure element (24) in the drawing pen magazine (5). When the drawing pen (7) thereafter is to be removed from the drawing pen magazine (5) the holding element (14) is operable not to engage the guide (25) and thereby will pull the drawing pen (7) from the drawing pen magazine (5) (FIG. 2).

Abstract: In a device for exchanging objects, in particular writing instruments, two substantially identically embodied holders (5, 5') which are open at one side are provided. These holders are movable relative to one another in a plane extending substantially at right angles to there longitudinal axes (12, 12'). The object to be exchanged is held in a receptacle (20), which in cross section has substantially the shape of a regular, convex n-gon having an uneven number of sides. At each corner of the receptacle (20), there is an element of ferromagnetic material (22, 23, 24), and there is a permanent magnet (6, 6') on the inner face, located opposite the open side, of the receiving area of each holder (5, 5'). The receptacle (20) is positionally fixed in a holder (for instance, 5') by means of the aligned position of an element (23) of ferromagnetic material and of a permanent magnet (6', for example).

Abstract: A drum plotter has a pen carriage movable back and forth across a sheet of print paper on a platen which is rotatable about its own axis in opposite directions. The pen carriage supports thereon a pen holder unit rotatable for bringing one of pens with differently colored inks into a writing position. The pen in the writing position is pushed by a hammer toward the platen for writing desired characters, figures or the like on the sheet of print paper. The pen holder unit is rotatably actuatable by a ratchet wheel engaged by a pawl member driven intermittently by a cam mounted on a shaft supporting the pen carriage and drivable by a solenoid-operated mechanism.

Abstract: A system for selectively removing a recording means from a strip chart scale to avoid marking undesired data thereon.

Abstract: In a pen recorder for obtaining desired recording data by pushing pen means mounted to a pen holder onto recording paper, the improvement comprising:(a) a feed mechanism for feeding said recording paper;(b) a moving pen holder for supporting said pen means; and(c) hammer means disposed at the rear of said pen means so as to bring the tip of said pen means into contact with said recording paper;(d) the tip of said pen means being fitted into support holes bored on a leaf spring fixed to said pen holder;(e) said leaf spring urging said pen means toward said hammer means;(f) said pen means being detachable relative to said pen holder;(g) said support hole of said leaf spring being shaped by expanding a part of a round hole in the direction opposite the pen withdrawing direction.

Abstract: A rectilinear pen movement apparatus is provided which is responsive to an electrical signal representing a measurement of galvanic skin resistance in order to provide a record of galvanic skin resistance on a chart recording medium. There is provided a support frame and a drive motor mounted to the frame. The drive motor has an output means which rotates on a first axis in response to an input signal representing an electrical measurement of galvanic skin resistance. An input shaft connected to a potentiometer senses the rotation of the output means and provides negative feedback. The input shaft also serves as a step up movement for rotating a swing disc on a second axis parallel to the first axis. A recording pen is supported for rotation about the second axis by a support shaft which is rigidly attached to the swing disc. The support shaft rotates on a third axis parallel to the first and second axis so that the tip of the recording pen moves rectilinearly in response to rotation of the output means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pen type recording device for performing recording by relative movements of pen means and recording paper in the state where the tip end of a pen is brought into contact with the recording paper, which comprises a pen holding member for holding the pen in such a manner that the pen can project toward the recording paper, and a rotary lift member rotatably supported on the pen holding member to lift up the rear side of the pen held on the pen holding member by the rotation thereof.In this pen type recording device, the operation of exchanging pen is greatly facilitated, and movement of pen holding means across a recording paper can be performed very smoothly.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering accelerations and retardations includes a basic structure (1,2) on which an inertial mass is suspended in spring means and adapted to guide a writing means (C) coacting with a web (80) of registering medium, which is arranged for running substantially transverse the direction of movement of the writing means (C).

Abstract: A mechanism for driving a recording pen in an automatic drafting machine, an X-Y plotter, etc., comprising a moving coil which is operated unitarily with the recording pen, magnetic circuits in which a center pole, permanent magnets and legs are arranged so as to interlink magnetic fluxes to the moving coil, a holder which holds the recording pen, and a supporting shaft and bearings which support the holder, the moving coil being supplied with current to drive the recording pen.

Abstract: A direct current servo motor operates through a toothed belt linkage to drive the pen carriage of a chart recorder. The position of the drive is monitored by a sectored encoder disc on the motor shaft. A pair of optical sensors is located relative to the encoder disc to provide alternately phased transition signals as corresponding edges of the encoder disc sectors pass the sensors when the motor rotates. A microprocessor interrupted by a transition signal goes to a sub-routine that determines which way the encoder disc is rotating and stores a count signal of the corresponding sign in a register. Further the microprocessor compares an input signal with the stored count signal and directs the motor to rotate in the direction that will reduce the difference or error signal to zero thus causing the pen to follow the magnitude of the input signal.

Abstract: A device is provided comprising a printing head for printing a sheet, a rotary motor, and transmission means transforming the rotary movement generated by the motor, on the one hand into a reciprocating rectilinear movement driving the printing head and, on the other hand into a movement driving the printing sheet in synchronism with the reciprocating movement of the printing head.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing alpha-numeric characters for plotting an incoming signal at rates on the order of one page every seven seconds for rapidly verifying that the system producing the incoming signal is operating properly. Both printing and plotting are done by styli mounted on a moving carriage and individually electrified to produce marks on a specially prepared paper. The styli are moved back and forth across the paper, marking in both directions. The carriage is not stepped across the page, but instead is moved smoothly from one side to the other side under control of a velocity servo. A controller generates and applies velocity command inputs to the servo, based on the position of the carriage as sensed by an optical encoder, and based on certain characteristics of the incoming signal. A first buffer memory accumulates the incoming signal until a line has been stored for plotting, while a second buffer memory is applying its accumulated contents to the printhead.

Abstract: A bi-directional pen changer for use in an X-Y plotter is disclosed which requires only a single axis of motion for pen snatch, pen re-insertion, and plotting. The device is made up of two pen stables, one on each side of a pen carriage, for holding pens when not in use, and a pen holder located between the two pen stables which holds a pen during plotting. The pen holder is mounted on the pen carriage and is a symmetric device configured to snatch and re-insert a pen from either side. The snatch and re-insertion of pens by the pen holder is accomplished by co-acting clamp arms on the pen holder and on each pen stable. The pen holder clamp arms are configured such that the pen tip is always at the same location relative to the clamp arms when the pen holder is holding a pen, regardless of the side from which the pen is snatched.

Abstract: A pen type recording device for recording data in any of several colors has a carriage having a rotary drum and movable across the surface of the recording paper through a printing region and a pen-selecting region. The rotary drum carries a plurality of pens arranged on its periphery and cam means mounted on the rotary drum and provided with feed teeth adapted to engage a stationary projection in such a manner that when the carriage is in the printing region, the rotary drum cannot rotate and when the carriage is in the pen-selecting region, the drum can be rotated by reciprocating the carriage to bring a selected pen into printing position.