Printer including cartridge mounted read only memory

• US 5,137,379 A
• Filed: 08/13/1990
• Issued: 08/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Ukai, Nobuyuki, Shibata, Ryoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiecking, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KELLEY, STEVEN SHAUN
• Application Number:
  US07/566,785
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 400/61, 400/70, 400/71, 400/76, 400/77, 400/121, 395/110
• US Class Current: 358/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/44 characterised by storage of recorded information
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/183 Removable memories, e.g. font cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0005 Accepting output data; Preparing data for the controlling system
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0025 Removable memories, e.g. cartridges

Abstract

A printer with a main body having a printing head, motors, a plurality of circuits driving the printing head and the motors, a processor and a random access memory. The printer also includes a cartridge for containing memory devices for storing the data for at least one character font set and for storing the printing operation control program. A connector removably connects the cartridge mechanically and electrically to the main body of the printer. As a result, the print operation control program and character font set data can be selectively set by connecting an appropriate cartridge to the main body of the printer.

Claims

1. A printer comprising:

a main body including a printing head, at least one motor, a plurality of circuits including a control circuit means for driving the printing head and the at least one motor, processing means, interface means including a first connector means and a random access memory;

a cartridge for containing memory means for storing data associated with at least one character font set and a printing operation control program, said cartridge including a second connector means for removably coupling with said first connector means, said cartridge being mechanically and electrically coupled with said main body by said first connector means and second connector means; and

said control circuit means within said main body being operatively coupled to said first connector and second connector means and preventing printing by said print head when said cartridge is not connected to said main body by said first connector means and second connector means and, to permit printing by said print head when said cartridge is connected to said main body by said first connector means and second connector means, so that printing is interrupted by detaching said cartridge during printing;

the printing operation control program including a variety of printing parameters associated with the at least one character font set whereby the printing operation control program and character font sets can be selectively set by connecting an appropriate cartridge.

2. The printer of claim 1 wherein the memory means includes at least one read-only memory device for storing the character font set data and printing operation control program.

3. The printer of claim 1 wherein the means for removably connecting the cartridge includes a set of male and female connectors, one of the set being provided on the cartridge and the other on the main body.

4. The printer of claim 1, wherein the interface means connects the printer to a host machine.