Acceleration control system for high speed printer

Abstract

An all-electronic print rate control system for a high-speed column sequential dot matrix printer, using a permutation code input signal, an input storage register with a capacity of at least three code words, for storing the input data and a print timing oscillator. The control system comprises a print clock, including a plurality of countdown circuits connected to the oscillator, for generating a normal print rate timing signal and a fast print rate timing signal; the print clock can also generate a variable print rate timing signal in which the initial column intervals are longer than in the normal print rate timing signal and the concluding column intervals are preferably shorter than in the normal signal. A print clock control selects one of these print rate timing signals to control the printing speed in each print cycle, depending on printer conditions in the prior cycle; the variable signal is used whenever the printer has actually come to rest for any appreciable interval.