EP0027490B1 - Typewriter with a memory and interchangeable type fonts - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a memory typewriter of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

Memory typewriters offer the possibility to store an entered text in the working memory and to write it out automatically from there on command on a record carrier, whereby the entire process is controlled by the machine control. Since the limited number of characters of a summary type carrier can be expanded for machines with exchangeable summary type carriers by arranging special characters and rarely used characters on one or more additional summary type carriers, the keyboard and control of such machines can be designed so that after a change the special characters are printed and saved. For this, e.g. B. the normal keyboard after pressing a code key or an extended keyboard can be used.

Instead of a total type carrier with special characters, one with a different font can also be used, so that the text can be created on a record carrier with changing fonts.

If these possibilities are used in a memory typewriter, however, the advantage of having a text automatically written out of the memory is lost, because the sum type carrier would have to be changed by the operator during the writing process - possibly even several times. But even the keyboard input of a text with simultaneous or delayed writing process is cumbersome and time-consuming, because the operator must also change the characters of another sum type holder every time he changes characters. If, for example, text parts in italics to be created in Antiqua script are to be written in italics in six different places, the operator would have to replace the Antiqua type holder six times with the italic type holder and this in turn with the Antiqua type holder.

The invention has for its object to provide a simplification of operation in memory typewriters of the type mentioned both when entering characters arranged on different sum type carriers and when automatically writing out such characters stored in the working memory of the machine.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The advantages achieved by the invention are, in particular, that even if there is a multiple change between the characters of different sum type carriers within a text, the sum type carriers only occur once

End of the record carrier page or a text need to be exchanged. This considerably simplifies the operator's work when entering characters, and automatic writing of a corresponding text from the working memory can take place without constant monitoring.

In an embodiment according to claim 2, it is advantageously possible to use the character sets of more than two sum type carriers when entering a text and to automatically insert the characters belonging to its character set into the gaps of the created text by pressing the function key after changing the sum type carrier to let. This increases the versatility of such a machine considerably without requiring more complicated handling.

An embodiment according to claim 4 offers the advantage that the machine automatically recognizes the type of its character set on the sum type carrier used and, in such a way, after a print command without further intervention by the operator, read out only the characters present on this sum type carrier from the working memory and their printing and can control. This measure prevents the operator from mistakenly pressing a function key that does not match the sum type carrier used, and therefore incorrect characters are printed.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained below.

The schematic representation shows the parts of a memory typewriter necessary for explaining the invention: a character keyboard 1, a function keyboard 2, a z. B. formed by a microcomputer control 3, a memory 4, a character display 5 and a writing mechanism 6, which has a type wheel as a sum type carrier 7. A character set is arranged on the sum type carrier 7, the characters of which can be printed on a recording medium 8. In addition, the sum type carrier 7 can be removed from the machine by an operator and replaced by another sum type carrier that uses a different character set, e.g. B. has a different font, characters in a different language or special characters.

An operator is to label the record carrier 8 with a text, for which purpose essentially a sum type carrier 7 with the Antiqua font is to be used, but in which text parts in italics are provided at different places and mathematical special characters are provided at other places. However, the print types of the italics are arranged on a different, second total type support and those of the special mathematical characters on a further, third total type support. The operator begins with the help of the characters stature 1 to enter the characters of the text, and the controller 3 ensures that the codes of the actuated keys in the working memory 4 are stored in the correct position. At the same time, the characters are displayed on a character display 5, starting in the rightmost column of the character display 5 and shifting the display by one column to the left every further input of characters. This measure enables the operator to check the correctness of entered characters and, in the event of an error, to improve them before printing using the known means of correcting characters in memory typewriters with a character display.

If the character display 5 is filled, the controller 3 causes the character in the leftmost column to be pushed out of the display 5 by each further character entered and printed on the recording medium 8 by the sum type carrier 7 of the writing mechanism 6.

Since the text is essentially to be created in the Antiqua font, the operator has inserted a sum type carrier 7 of this font into the machine. When the first text to be written in italics is reached, the operator presses a function key 9 for entering a first function command “DO NOT PRINT”, whereupon the key code of each key on the character keyboard 1 that is subsequently actuated is provided with an identification code corresponding to the function key 9 that is actuated and in the correct position in the RAM 4 is stored. The characters are shown on the character display 5, but no imprint function is carried out when they exit the character display 5. The writing mechanism 6 only performs an empty step, so that a gap is created in the written text on the recording medium 8.

Pressing function key 9 again “DO NOT PRINT” cancels the function command so that the text that is entered is saved again without an additional code and printed in the Antiqua font of the sum type carrier 7 used.

If, when entering text, it is necessary to enter special mathematical characters whose print types - as explained at the beginning - are arranged on a third total type carrier, the operator again enters a first function command “DO NOT PRINT”. For this purpose, she presses a different function key 10 than in the text parts to be created in italics, whereupon the key codes of all the keys of the character keyboard 1 that are actuated thereafter are provided with an identification code assigned to the function key 10 and are stored in the working memory 4 in the correct position. Thus, 4 key codes for mathematical special characters are identified in the working memory by a different identification code than key codes for characters to be printed in italics, while the characters to be printed out in the Antiqua font (and already printed on the clamped recording medium 8) are stored in the memory 4 without an identification code.

The mathematical special characters are also shown on the character display, but not printed. Only one space per key press is carried out by the writing mechanism. By pressing the function key 10 again, you can return to normal operation.

When the text input is finished, the record carrier 8 has a sketchy representation, whereby the characters whose print types are not present on the sum type carrier 7 used are missing. The operator now changes the sum type carrier 7 with the Antiqua font to another with italics and presses another function key 11 to enter a second function command "READ AND PRINT". The controller 3 then causes the working codes 4 to at least partially read out the key codes in sequence, which are provided with the identification code of the function key 9, and to set the sum type carrier 7 in the correct position and to the character to be printed relative to the recording medium 8 and the impression is made. The process happens automatically, whereby the positioning can be from the end of the text to the beginning or vice versa. Then the operator must first set the record carrier 8 to the beginning of the text.

After the text parts to be created in italics are printed, the sum type carrier 7 is exchanged for the third one equipped with special mathematical characters. Pressing another function key 12 to enter the second function command “READ AND PRINT” causes the key codes from the working memory 4, which had been provided with their identification code when the function key 10 was entered by pressing the function key 10, to be read out at least partially, and that in the described Way their imprint takes place. Additional function keys for first and second function commands allow the use of further sum type carriers in the same text.

The labeling of the record carrier 8 is now complete. Despite frequent changes of the fonts Antiqua and Italic and frequent use of the special characters, the operator only needed to use each total type carrier once. Even if the entire text is read out repeatedly from the working memory 4 and printed on further recording media, the procedure described is followed, so that each total type media then only has to be used once.

Deviating from the special embodiment of the example described, other embodiments are possible, e.g. B. another type of input for the first and second function commands, such as using the keys of Character keyboard in connection with a code key in such a way that a first function command is entered by actuating the code key and a character key, a second function command is entered by actuating the code key and another character key etc.

For the text parts identified by an identification code in the working memory in the exemplary embodiment described, separate storage areas could also be provided, for example, in which these text parts are stored, so that an identification code could be dispensed with and only the respective storage area would have to be controlled.

The sum type carriers could also each be provided with a marking which can be scanned by the memory typewriter and by means of which the character set of the sum type carrier can be identified. With such a marking, the control would be able to read out only the characters present on the sum type carrier used from the working memory after a second function command “READ AND PRINT” without special instructions from the operator.

Claims (5)

1. Typing machine with a memory, with a character keyboard (1) and a function keyboard (2), a control (3), a working memory (4) and a print unit (6) with an exchangeable type carrier (7), characterised in that there are provided input means (9 to 12) for functional instructions of first and second kinds and the control (3) is so constructed that, upon an input of a functional instruction (9, 10) of the first kind, the character of the successively actuated character keys are not printed but the key codes are stored in a position-justified manner in the working memory (4) and letter blanks are triggered, whereby gaps are left in the printed text, and that, after exchange of the type carrier (7) and an input of a functional instruction (11, 12) of the second kind, the stored key codes are at least partly read out and the characters are printed in the gaps in a position-justified manner.

2. Typing machine with a memory, according to claim 1, characterised in that there are provided several input means (9, 10) for functional instructions of the first kind and the key codes of successively actuated character keys are stored distinguishably in accordance with the particular actuated input means (9, 10), and that there are provided several input means (11, 12) for functional instructions of the second kind, after actuation of which the distinguishably stored key codes are selectively read out.

3. Typing machine with a memory according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that function keys (9-12) are provided for the input of the functional instructions of the first and second kind.

4. Typing machine with a memory according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the type carriers (7) are provided with a marking which may be sensed by the machine, the marking representing information identifying the character set of the corresponding type carrier (7) and that, after input of a functional instruction of the second kind, there is caused by means of the information the reading out from the working memory (4) of the key code relevant to the currently inserted type carrier (7).

5. Typing machine with a memory according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is arranged on the machine an indicating apparatus (5) with a character generator for all occurring characters for indicating at least those characters which, after input of a functional instruction of the first kind, are fed in but not printed.

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