GB955143A - Improvements in or relating to printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

955,143. Statistical apparatus. EASTMAN KODAK CO. May 6, 1960 [May 7,1959], No. 16049/60. Heading G4M. In a system for preparing address labels from a mailing list compiled from punched cards, in which the information stored on the cards is transferred to a magnetic tape, e.g. as in the system disclosed in Specification 874,473, and the magnetic tape is then used to control a printer, data identifying a particular magazine to which a punched card relates, and stored in a predetermined column of the card, is used to print an identifying mark 50, Fig. 2 on the address label derived from that card so that the label may be readily associated with that particular magazine. Data read from each card is stored on a 6- channel magnetic tape 10, Fig. 1, and a timing bit is associated with each code character. The pulses from the timing track are used to gate the successive code characters through gates 16 and to step on a ring counter 18. Counter 18 has as many stages as there are character positions in each label, and the output pulses from each stage are used to enter each code character on leads 19 in any predetermined order into the appropriate one of stores 20-1, 20-2 &c. each associated with a different line of a label. After each set of characters has been entered in stores 20-1, 20-2 &c., pulse generator 25 steps on a ring counter 30 to read out corresponding characters of each line of the label simultaneously and successively. Each code character read out is decoded at 40-1, 40-2 &c. and then routed to a matrix 28-1 &c. to energize the appropriate inputs of a stylus printer 29 associated with that line. The output of ring counter 18 which corresponds to the predetermined column. identifying the magazine with which the label is to be associated is connected to open gates 37-1 to 37-4. For a four line label as shown, decoder 35 may have up to 16 outputs which are connected through a plugboard 36 to the inputs of gates 37-1 to 37-4. When the predetermined column of code is read, one or more of bi-stable circuits 39-1 to 39-4 are set, and at the appropriate time in the read-out cycle (determined by counter 30 and plugboard 51) pulses are routed to one or more of matrices 28-1 &c. to record a mark 50 in one or more lines of the label. Marks 50 may correspond to the final digit of the number printed at the bottom right of each label. Specifications 711,497, 711,498, 792,861, 797,548 and 891,953 also are referred to.