Marking machine control system

Abstract

An electronic control system for apparatus of the type used for imprinting or marking nameplates and other similar workpieces. The control system of the present invention has particular application for use with electrically operated marking machines of the type which utilize a keyboard and a marking member which may be displaced to imprint or mark characters or symbols carried by the marking member on metal or plastic nameplates or other similar workpieces. The control system may be operated in a number of modes selectable by the operator including a mode in which the selection of the character or symbol to be printed is followed immediately by marking or printing of that character on the work-piece, other operational modes in which a number of characters can be selected or inputted without printing, and entire lines of characters and multiple lines of characters can be imprinted without interruption, and modes in which the entire label can be pre-formatted on a display prior to marking or printing and the formatted display can be saved for later use.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to electronic control systems and in particular to such control systems for apparatus of the type used for imprinting or marking nameplates and other similar workpieces. The control system of the present invention has particular application for use with electrically operated marking machines of the type which utilize a keyboard and a marking member which may be displaced to imprint or mark characters or symbols carried by the marking member on metal or plastic nameplates or labels, or other similar workpieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Marking machines of the type with which the control system of the present invention is particularly useful typically includes a surface or table to hold and position a workpiece to be imprinted, and a marking member having a plurality of symbols thereon which can be positioned to mark the workpiece in a sequential pattern of selected symbols. Typically, this marking member may be changed to provide different desired combinations and sizes of characters or symbols.

In such marking machines, the marking member has been operated in response to actuation of a typewriter-like keyboard and electromechanical devices associated therewith. In operation, a character or symbol is selected by actuating or depressing one of the keys on the keyboard which corresponds to the character or symbol desired to be marked. The marking member then is indexed to locate the selected character or symbol in a marking position. The marking member is subsequently displaced into engagement with the workpiece to thereby mark or print onto the workpiece the selected character or symbol. Typically, the workpiece is then advanced a selected distance to locate the workpiece in position to be imprinted or marked with the next selected character or symbol.

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,924,720 and 3,945,479, assigned to the assignee of this application, there is disclosed such an electromechanically controlled marking machine designed for imprinting at relatively high speeds. The machine disclosed in the above-referenced patents includes a frame and a marking ram carrying a marking member or wheel which is slidably mounted on the frame and driven by an electric motor. This marking wheel is rotated to position the characters or symbols on the periphery thereof in position for marking a workpiece disposed therebelow and is transversely displaced to effect the desired marking of the workpiece.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,131, also assigned to the assignee of this application, there is disclosed an electronic control system for the type of marking machines disclosed in the first cited patents which improve the reliability, performance and operational control of those machines and replaced electromechanical devices which limit the speed and reliability of operation with an electronic control circuit. All of the above cited patents and the disclosures therein are incorporated herein by reference in order to minimize the necessity of describing in detail what is contained therein.

While the marking machines and the operation thereof under control of the electronic control system disclosed in said U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,131, did in fact result in improved reliability and less electromechanical wear, there still were a number of mechanical components necessary in order to operate the machine. In addition, while the control system in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,131 did improve the operational speed of such marking machines significantly, the need for faster operation remained as well as additional operational flexibility and even better reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved control system for use with marking machines such as disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,924,720, 3,945,479 and 4,071,131 which would simplify the mechanical components in marking machines while simultaneously improving the operational speed and providing greater flexibility in operating the machine.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the marking member which contains the symbols or characters to be marked on a workpiece is selectively incremented to rapidly locate the selected character thereon in position for marking. Simultaneously, a number of the mechanical control mechanisms previously required to position the marking member and to stop it in the selected location are eliminated.

Furthermore, a system in accordance with the present invention may be operated in a number of modes selectable by the operator. In one mode, the selection of the character or symbol to be printed is followed immediately by marking or printing of that character on the workpiece. In other operational modes, a number of characters can be selected or inputted without printing. As a result, once the data is inputted entire lines of characters, multiple lines, and entire labels can be imprinted without interruption.

In addition, the control system of the present invention is capable of effecting automatic return of the marking table to its starting position, the automatic selection of the trailing margin position defining the maximum length of a line, the selectable bidirectional incrementing of the table in the lateral character increment direction and the transverse line increment direction, the selection of the magnitude of each increment of table movement in both directions to accommodate characters of different sizes and marking at different spacing, the selectable incrementing of the table to the next line, formatting, as well as other selectable control functions which may be desirable in the operation of such marking machines. The control system is also capable of utilizing input data representing the characters to be selected from remote sources, as well as from the keyboard associated with the marking machine. Such data may include prestored formats with preentered data, both constant and variable, and both characters to be marked and those not to be marked.

The movement of the marking table on which the workpiece is located is controlled by the control system of the present invention. This simplifies another area where mechanical components and mechanisms have previously been required and improves the reliability and flexibility of the marking machine.

More specifically, the control system of the present invention is responsive to signals from a keyboard or a remote source which can be representative either of a character to be marked or alternately of certain control operations to be performed. The system determines whether the input signals are symbol data signals or control signals. If a control signal, the necessary control operation is implemented.

If a symbol or character data signal, the system stores the identity of the character. If in a simultaneous input and print mode of operation, the printing operation is initiated. After a character is marked on the workpiece, the system increments the position of the table by the selected increment.

If an input signal is a control signal, the control system implements that control operation. Typical controls and modes include fixed field data entry--for displaying characters that are preprinted on the workpiece to be marked and therefore are not to be marked by the machine, auto increment start and stop, set entry, request switch settings for formatting, and multiple entry in which the system accepts plural input data representing a plurality of characters without initiating the print or marking cycle. In the latter mode, each of the characters is stored and retained for later use in printing. A number of lines of characters can be so retained for use in multiple line printing mode when that mode is initiated to print lines of characters at a time or entire labels without repetitive data entry.

Furthermore, the trailing margin can be preselected. This preselected margin position can be cleared to eliminate any such limitations or to enable a new margin selection.

With the control system of the present invention, it is possible to control both lateral, i.e. character advance, and transverse, i.e., line advance, movement of the table from the keyboard thereby eliminating a number of mechanical linkages and facilitating operation of the overall printing system.

At the end of a line of characters, when a keyboard return signal is produced, either automatically or when a return key is actuated, the system automatically returns the table to its starting position, advances the table to the next line, and automatically indexes the marking member to a reference position.

Furthermore the system incorporating the present invention is capable of interfacing with a CRT display to display the entire label to be marked, including fixed field characters that are to be printed repetitively or are not to be marked. This is useful in formatting the marking operation. The display is altered as a function of the increment switch settings to conform to the number of characters and lines that can be marked at the character and line spacing represented by the switch settings. This allows the operator to pre-format the data on the screen to know in advance the appearance of the marked label.

These and other capabilities of the system for controlling a marking machine result from the highly reliable marking control system of the present invention and permit high-speed operation of the marking machine in a variety of operational modes to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility of the marking operations for which the machine is designed. Furthermore, the control system of the present invention can be utilized with remote sources of information to permit marking of labels under remote control.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and one embodiment thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of a marking machine with which the control system of the present invention may be used;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, with the table omitted;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a marking machine with which the control system of the present invention may be used;

FIGS. 4-12 are circuit diagrams showing the control system of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment of a portion of the circuits shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrammatic views of CRT displays useful for pre-formatting data to be imprinted by the marking machine; and

FIGS. 16-19 are flow diagrams helpful in understanding the operation of the control system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many forms, there is shown in the drawing and will be described herein in detail preferred alternative embodiments of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated and/or described.

The precise shapes and sizes of the components described herein are not necessarily essential to the operation of the disclosed apparatus and control system unless otherwise indicated.

Much of the apparatus disclosed herein has certain conventional components and support structures the details of which, though not fully illustrated or described, will be apparent to those having skill in the art and understanding of the functions of such mechanisms.

A control system incorporating the present invention is utilized for controlling operation of apparatus such as the marking machine disclosed in the above-cited U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,924,720, 3,945,479 and 4,071,131, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, such a marking machine is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing and will be described briefly hereinbelow, although a detailed understanding of the marking machine can be obtained by reference to the above cited patents.

In general, the marking machine 20 includes a frame 21 in which an indexing table 22 is slidably mounted for reciprocal lateral or character incrementing movement (to the left and right in FIG. 3 and forward and rearward line incrementing movement (to the left and right in FIG. 1). A marking ram 23 is provided above the indexing table 22 and carries a marking member shown as a marking dial or wheel 30.

The actual marking or imprinting of a workpiece 31, e.g., a nameplate or label, which is supported on the table 22 takes place when the marking ram 23 is displaced downwardly. This causes the marking dial 30 to make contact with the surface of the workpiece 31 disposed on the table 22. The marking ram 23 is actuated by an eccentric cam 32 driven by an electric motor 34 through an appropriate drive train 36, including single revolution clutch 36a as described in the above-referenced patents.

The rotatable marking dial or wheel 30 is carried by the marking ram 23 and is supported therein on a shaft 38 having a flexible portion 38a interconnecting the marking wheel 30 with a stepping motor 40, and a rigid portion 38b connecting stepping motor 40 to a reference disk 42. The disk 42 has an aperture 43 therein which is sensed by an optical sensor 44 located at the reference position. When the reference aperture 43 in the disk 42 is sensed by the sensor 44, the disk 42, and therefore the wheel 30, are at the reference position.

The workpiece 31, e.g., a nameplate or label, to be marked is positioned on the indexing table 22 and is suitably clamped or otherwise positioned thereon so that the nameplate 31 is advanced when the indexing table 22 is incremented as described below. The mechanism for incrementing the indexing table 22 for each character comprises a first or character table stepping motor 45 having a shaft 46 connected to a pinion 48 which engages a rack 50 formed as a part of a support or carriage 52 for the indexing table 22.

The carriage 52 slidably supports the indexing table 22 for transverse line incrementing movement relative thereto, and itself is slidably mounted on a pair of carriage shafts 54 which in turn are mounted on and traverse the forward end of the marking machine 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Carriage stops 56 may be provided at the opposite ends of the carriage shafts 54 and limit switches 58 can be located at those respective locations to indicate that the carriage 52, and therefore the table 22, has reached the extreme positions of permissible travel or movement.

The table 22 is line incremented, i.e., moved in the forward and backward direction (to the right and left in FIG. 1) by a second or line table stepping motor 60 connected to one of a pair of pulleys 62 about which extends a flexible belt 64 affixed to the underside of table 22. Suitable limit switches 65 similar to limit switches 58 can be appropriately located to define the limits of line incrementing movement of the table 22.

The marking machine 20 may be provided with other components such as keyboard 66 a manually operable push-down lever 67, a pointer 68 on wedge block 68a for indicating the depth of the ram stroke to assist in calibration, as well as other components such as dial alignment indicator 69, all as described in the above referenced patents. (See e.g., above cited U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,720).

The reference position for the table 22 occurs when the carriage 52 actuates limit switches 58, while the reference position of the wheel 30 is defined as the position where the aperture 43 in disk 42 is being sensed by optical sensor 44. When first turned on, the electronic circuitry performs a self-check test to insure that it is in operating condition, and a ready message is displayed on an optical display 72 (see FIG. 12) or a CRT display 300 (see FIGS. 14 and 15). The keyboard 66 is used as a manual input device to select the characters to be marked or printed as well as control functions implementing the various operational modes possible with the marking machine 20 controlled by the control system of the present invention.

One embodiment of a control system of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4-12 and incorporates a microprocessor system. The system is based on a Motorola 6802 microprocessor unit (MPU) 74, and includes buffers 76 for connecting the MPU 74 to a plurality of address lines 77, a plurality of program read only memories (PROM's or ROM's) 78, random access memories (RAM's) 80, baud selection circuit 82 connected to an RS232 communications interface circuit 84, a clock circuit 86 and a power-up initializing circuit 88. The MPU 74 is connected through a bidirectional buffer 89 to a plurality of data lines 90, and is connected to control lines 91 through a control decoder 92 for use with external circuits as described below. These and the various control gates shown in FIG. 4 are all well known components of microprocessor control systems.

The address lines 77 and data lines 90 are connected through buffers 76, 89, respectively, to peripheral circuits described below, such as the three input-output circuits which in the Motorola 6802 based systems disclosed are peripheral interface adaptors (PIA's) 94, 96, 98 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. These circuits are used to interface external components to the microprocessor system. PIA 94 is for the keyboard 66. PIA 96 is for an external source of data such as a communication link, through, as shown, a serial-to-parallel interface circuit 100, if the circuits 82 and 84 are not used as shown.

The third PIA 98 is used to control the stepping motors 40, 45, 60 as well as a solenoid 102 for the clutch 36a in a marking or print drive circuit 134 (FIG. 7). The solenoid 102 is energized to operate the clutch 36a and effect rotation of cam 32 to drive the ram 23 as described in the above-cited patents. (See the description of clutch solenoid therein, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,720, col. 2, lines 43 et seq.). PIA 98 also senses input signals from the table limit switches 58, 65, from the marking wheel reference sensor 44 and from manually settable switches 104, 105 which select the desired number of steps per movement, i.e., spacing, of table movement.

As shown in FIG. 5, coded outputs 106 from keyboard 66 are connected to the keyboard PIA 94 through a buffer 76. The keyboard PIA 94 produces an interrupt signal 108 when actuation of a key on the keyboard 66 is sensed and produces data signals on the data lines 90 connected to the microprocessor 74 through a buffer 89.

The communications PIA 96 is connected to the serial-to-parallel interface circuit 100 which in turn receives serial pulses over a communications line 112 representative of data similar to the data received from the keyboard 66. Circuit 100 converts serial data to parallel data for input to the PIA 96 which produces an interrupt signal 108 and data signals 90 connected to the microprocessor 74 as described above with respect to the keyboard PIA 94. Data output from the microprocessor 74 can be connected through PIA 96 and through the serial-to-parallel interface circuit 100 to the communications line 112 if desired.

The circuit of FIG. 6 shows the motor and print control PIA 98 which receives data signals 90, address signals 77 and control signals 91 to produce control pulses at its output to energize either the wheel stepping motor 40, the table stepping motor 45, or the solenoid 102.

The wheel motor 40 is energized with a sequence of pulses to rotate the printing wheel 30 until a selected character is located in the marking position. The print wheel control outputs 116 from PIA 98 are applied to a motor decode circuit 118. Motor decode circuit 118 includes a count to 4 counter 119 which repetitively counts up from zero to three in response to one of the outputs 116 from PIA 98 and repetitively counts down from three to zero in response to the other of the outputs 116 from PIA 98.

The outputs 120 of motor decode circuit 118 are coded signals, such as binary coded signals, indicative of the value of the count in counter 119, and are applied to a motor control circuit 122. Motor control circuit 122 includes a pair of decoders or multiplexers 121 which produce the motor control pulses P1 through P4 in preselected sequence to motor drive circuits 124 (FIG. 8) as a function of the value of the coded signals 120 applied thereto.

Thus, for example, for each coded signal 120, a predetermined pattern of pulses or signals P1-P4 is produced. One sequence of these patterns is produced when the counter 119 is counting up and another sequence of these pulses is produced when the counter 119 is counting down.

FIG. 8 shows one of the motor drive circuits 124 utilized to energize the stepping motors 40, 45, 60 and cause them to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise. There are two such motor drive circuits 124 for each motor, one for each phase. Thus the motor control circuit 124 for one phase of motor 40 has applied thereto pulses P1 and P2 as shown. A second identical circuit 124 for the other phase of motor 40 would have applied thereto pulses P3 and P4 as shown.

Similarly, table wheel control outputs 116' of PIA 98 are applied to table motor decoder circuit 118' which includes counter 119' and which produces outputs 120' applied to another control circuit 122' identical to circuit 122. The second control circuit 122' produces motor control pulses P5 through P8 applied to a pair of motor drive circuits 124 identical to the ones shown in FIG. 8 to increment table stepping motor 45 and cause it to rotate in either of the two directions and move the table 22 either forward or backward.

When stepping motor 60 is to be operated to increment a line, two additional outputs 116" from PIA 98 are applied to yet another motor decoder circuit 118". The outputs 120" of circuit 118" are applied to yet another control circuit 122", like circuit 122, to produce motor control pulses P9, P10, P11, P12 which are applied to another pair of motor drive circuits 124 to increment line stepping motor 60, as described above.

Depending upon the sequence of motor control pulses P1-P4, P5-P8, P9-P12, the wheel motor 40, table motor 45 and table motor 60, respectively, are turned either in a clockwise or in a counterclockwise direction.

In addition, PIA 98 also produces an output signal 132 to energize a solenoid drive circuit 134 (FIG. 7) when it is desired to energize the solenoid 102 to displace the marking wheel 30 and effect marking or imprinting of the workpiece 31. Circuit 134 includes isolator 134a to isolate the solenoid 102 from the PIA 98.

The motor control PIA 98 is also responsive to certain input data from the table limit switches, 58, 65, from the wheel reference sensor 44 and from the manually set switches 104, 105 which select the distance the table 22 is to be incremented, i.e., the number of steps per each increment and therefore the spacing between characters and between lines printed on the label or workpiece 31.

The control system of the present invention is provided with a display 72 (FIG. 12) so that the operator can observe that the correct characters have been selected, i.e., that the proper key in the keyboard 66 has been activated and also displays the line of characters to be printed when entire lines are printed automatically in the automatic print mode.

The display control circuit is shown in FIGS. 9-11 in which address signals 77 and character data 90 are stored in a display memory 135. The outputs 136 of display memory 135 are applied to a character generator or decoder 138. The outputs of the character generator or decoder 138 are, as is well known, a plurality of row drive signals 140 which in conjunction with the outputs 141, 142 of the column select generator 144 (FIG. 10) and the outputs 145 of digit select generator 146 (FIG. 11) to produce the necessary information to selectively energize each of a plurality of matrices 147 of light-emitting diodes, i.e., the display 72, for displaying each alpha-numeric symbol.

The operation of such circuitry is well known. Thus the output of memory 135 is data representative of a particular character to be displayed in one of the matrices 147. This data for each character is applied sequentially to the input of character generator or decoder 138 which converts that data to signals on selected ones of the row drive signal lines 140 to enable energization of the appropriate LEDs in each of the matrices 147.

Column and digit select generator 144 consists of a plurality of counters 144a, 144b, 144c. Counters 144a, 144b, 144c are continuously incremented by a clock or timing circuit 144d which applies count pulses to the inputs of the first counter 144a. The first counter generates the column select signals 141. When the first counter 144a has completely cycled, it resets and produces a pulse applied to the input of the second and third counters 144b, 144c which produce coded, digit select signals 142.

The digit select signals 142 are applied to the inputs of a pair of 4 to 16 decoders 146a, 146b. For each coded digit select signal 142 applied to the input of the coders 146a, 146b, there is produced a single output of one of the digit select lines 145. The colunn select signals 141 are applied to the decoders 148 which produce an output on one of the output lines connected thereto in response to each unique coded input 141 to select one of the columns in each of the matrices.

Thus, if a digit is to be displayed in the left hand most matrix 147 shown in FIG. 12, the row select signals 140 will be enabled for those elements in the first column of the left hand matrix 147 which are to be energized. Simultaneously, the column select signals 141 will enable each decoder 148 to energize the first column and the output 145 from the digit select decoder circuitry shown in FIG. 10 will be energized only for the first digit decoder 148. The result is that those light emitting diodes in the first column connected to the rows enabled by the signals 140 will be energized. The data on lines 140 and 141 are then changed to energize selected diodes in the second column and the process is repeated. This method of displaying characters in a multiplexed sequence is, of course, well known.

Thus, the row data signals 140 are applied to the matrices, and the column signals 141 and the digit address signals 145 are applied to decoders 148 which select the digit to be energized and the series of columns to be energized sequentially. As a result, each of the columns of each digit is energized sequentially in a multiplexed fashion to display the character selected by operation of the keyboard 106 or other message in accordance with the data produced by the microprocessor 74.

In the alternative embodiment of the interface circuitry shown in FIG. 13, the address signals 77 are connected through a buffer 276 to a 4-16 decoder 293. The 4-6 decoder 293 produces an output on one of its output lines in response to each unique coded signal on the four address lines 277 applied to its inputs. Each output of decoder 293 is applied to a control input of a PIA 294 to select that PIA. Thus decoder 293 is capable of selecting sixteen different PIA's in response to four address signals applied to the input thereof. Two address signals 277 are also applied to the PIA 294. Since these address signals are common to all of the PIA's the use of the decoder 293 and the circuit select outputs therefrom is utilized to select each PIA. The circuitry shown in FIG. 13 is utilized to sense inputs 106 from keyboard 66 applied to the data inputs of the PIA through a latch 203. Also connected to the inputs of the PIA are a plurality of manually settable option select switchs 203a and the step selection switches 204 and 205 for selecting, respectively, the character incrementing steps and the line incrementing steps for controlling movement of the table by the stepping motors 45, 60. In this embodiment, signals from the optical sensor 44, and the table limit switches 58, 65 are also applied to the inputs of the PIA 294. Data is read out of the PIA through buffer 289 which is connected to the data lines 90 described above. When keyboard data is sensed by the PIA, an interrupt 208 is produced causing the microprocessor system to read data from the keyboard before the keys are released and the data lost.

Turning to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown a representation of a cathode rate tube (CRT) display 300 for the data to be imprinted on the label. Across the top of the display there is a character margin 304 which indicates the number of characters that can be imprinted on a label for the particular setting of the character incrementing switches 104 or 204, and along the left side of the display there is a margin 305 indicating the number of lines that can be imprinted on the label for the selected setting of the line incrementing switches 205. Thus, depending upon the size of the label to be imprinted, and the size of the characters which are to be utilized, the table setting switches are operated to select a desired number of characters per row or line and the desired number of lines that are to be imprinted. The setting of the switches also controls the spacing between characters and lines since these settings control the number of steps each of the stepping motors are incremented each time a incrementing signal is produced. Thus, the display on the CRT is altered as a function of the setting of these switches so that only a selected number of characters can be displayed and only a selected number of lines can be displayed to allow for complete formatting of the data to be imprinted or marked prior to the marking operation.

In addition, data that is not to be marked, such as data that is preprinted or screened on the label can be displayed in reverse video. This is a well known technique and can be achieved by utilization of an extra data bit. The extra data bit also indicates to the system that this data is not to be printed. Thus the nonprintable data may be displayed on the CRT in a mode different from the data to be printed, and this display indicates that the data so displayed will not in fact be printed on the label.

In operation, when the system is energized, the power up circuit 88 produces an initializing signal which causes the system to initialize and self-check the RAMs 80 and the PIAs 94, 96, 98 (FIG. 6). In summary, the display 70 is cleared, and the RAMs 80 and the PIAs 94, 96, 98 are tested. If faults are detected, a fault message is displayed.

If there are no faults, the marking wheel 30 is returned to its reference position and the table 22 is returned to its start position. Finally, a number of other initializing functions are performed, such as, setting up the various PIA ports as inputs or outputs, storing the various initial addresses for data, and setting the trailing margin at its maximum value. The message "READY" is then displayed to inform the operator that the system is in condition to accept input data, and all interrupt flags are cleared.

When a key on the keyboard is actuated, the coded signal 106 from keyboard 66 is produced and sensed by PIA 94 or 294, which produces an interrupt signal 108 or 208. When an interrupt signal 108 or 208 is produced, an interrupt routine is initiated. FIG. 17 is a keyboard interrupt flowchart for the first disclosed embodiment.

As shown, the system checks to determine if the multiple entry mode has been selected. If not, characters are being printed as entered. Therefore, the position of the table 22 is checked to determine whether it is at the trailing margin position, i.e., at the end of a line. If it is, the keyboard character is not immediately accepted. When the table 22 is not at the end of a line, or when the system is in the multiple entry mode (no printing), the keyboard data is processed.

If that data is a control code, the control function is identified and implemented unless the system is in a print mode, in which case the printing or marking operation is first completed. If the data is not a control code, the system determines if it is a print line control. If so it initiates that function. If not, it checks to determine if it is a possible character. If not a possible character, the data is ignored, and the system returns to perform the functions it was doing before receiving the interrupt signal 108.

If the keyboard data is a possible character, the system checks to see if the data represents a character or symbol on the marking wheel 30 being used (FIG. 8). Before checking the character, it is necessary to determine if the system is in the print cycle, if the available memory is full, and if the line is full. If any of those conditions exist, nothing further is done.

Otherwise, the system compares the input data with a table of symbols representing those on the wheel 30 being used. If a symbol corresponding to the input data is not located, the data is ignored. if a symbol corresponding to the input data is identified, it is stored and displayed. Once again a determination is made if the memory and the line are full, and if so, a corresponding flag is set for use during later cycles of the system. When the data is accepted, a print flag is set unless the system is in the multiple entry mode.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the interrupt routine is completed, when there is no keyboard data, the system is in its print check operation. In this condition, the increment switches 104 are sensed and the number of steps per table increment are determined. If a character is to be printed, it is identified, and its position on the marking wheel 30 is determined. If it is on the wheel 30, its position is compared to the present wheel position to determine whether the wheel must be moved to another position.

If the wheel 30 is to be moved, the shortest direction of rotation is identified, and the wheel 30 is rotated until it is in proper position. This determination is made internally of the system which continuously stores data representing the present position of the wheel 30, and compares that data with the desired position of the wheel 30. The only time the sensing aperture on disk 42 is used is when the wheel 30 is returned to its reference position, e.g., at the end of each line. The use of the output from optical sensor 44 at this time is to minimize the possibility of accumulated error in the wheel position data, since it is reset every time the wheel 30 is returned to its reference position.

When the wheel 30 is in proper position, the solenoid 102 is energized, after an initial delay to insure the wheel 30 has stopped. After marking, there is another delay to preclude the table 22 from being incremented until after marking is completed. The table 22 is then incremented, unless it is at the end of the line, in which case it is returned to its reference or start position. If another character is to be printed, that information is stored so the next time through the print check cycle printing will occur.

As indicated above, when control data is identified, the control function is implemented. The system of the present invention incorporates a number of such control functions, including multiple entry mode, clear trailing margin code, set trailing margin mode, backspace table mode, print entire line enable mode, advance the table one increment mode, return the table to start position mode, clear the memory of all data mode, and print an entire line mode.

When the multiple entry mode is selected, the system sets the multiple entry flag. This allows the entry of a whole line of characters, and even a number of lines, without printing or marking. When all the data is entered, the print entire line enable mode clears the multiple entry flag and sets the print flag. The print entire line mode causes the system to print the characters previously entered, a line at a time. This function also clears the print flag when all symbols have been printed, returning the system to its normal mode in which it prints a single character at a time as the keyboard is operated. The other operational codes perform the operations as indicated.

A program implementing the functions of the control system incorporating the present invention is set forth below. ##SPC1## ##SPC2## ##SPC3## ##SPC4## ##SPC5## ##SPC6## ##SPC7##

Thus there has been disclosed a marking machine control system which is flexible, fast and reliable. The system of the present invention eliminates mechanical components except for those necessary to implement the mechanical functions of the marking machine, thereby minimizing problems associated with such components. Furthermore, the multiple operating modes possible with the control system of the present invention provide desireable flexibility and in many cases significantly increase the operational speed of the marking machine 20.

Thus, a control system of the present invention is responsive to a manually actuatable keyboard for selecting alternatively either the marking symbols or control codes for producing an output representative of a selected symbol or the selected control code. A control system includes means responsive to that output for identifying the output as representative of a symbol or control code and for determining whether the selected symbol is a symbol on the marking member. (See, e.g., FIG. 5, the buffer 76, data line 90 PIA 94; flow chart FIG. 17; and the program listing, lines 720-33, 746-800.) The system includes means normally responsive to identification of the output as a symbol to effect initiating energization of the marking member moving means to locate the selected symbol at the marking location and for initiating energization of the marking member displacing means and effect momentary displacement of the marking member and marking of the workpiece. (See, e.g., the flow charts, FIGS. 18 and 19; and the program listing, lines 912-1122, 326-62 and 1223-33.)

The control system further includes means responsive to the end of each energization to energize a table moving means. (See e.g., the flow chart, FIG. 19; and program listing, lines 363-80, 1243-47 and 1125-71.) Furthermore, the system includes means responsive to the setting of the switches to cause the table to be incremented a distance corresponding to the setting of the switches (See, e.g., the circuitry of FIG. 13, switches 204, 205, PIA 294, buffers 289 and the data lines; the flow chart FIG. 19; and the program listing, lines 586-694.); and to control the display format as a function of the switch settings. (See, e.g., program listing, lines 586-694, 1251-1305 and 1318-1591.) The system includes means responsive to the identification of the output as a control code for initiating a plurality of control operations. (See, e.g., FIG. 5, FIG. 17; and the program listing, lines 720-33 and 746-800.)

The control system includes means responsive to the initiation of the control operation for selecting multiple entry modes to inhibit energization of the marking member and for inputting a sequence of data before the marking member is energized. (See, e.g., program listing, lines 719-33, 746-800, 819-23, 2084-2143 and 2470-2582.) As indicated above, the system is capable of responding to initiation of a control operation for enabling multiple print mode and for initiating sequential actuation of the marking member in the multiple print mode. (See, e.g., program listing, lines 746-800, 819-23, 2084-2143 and 2470-2582.)

The display may be altered to display various symbols in different formats (See, e.g., the program listing, lines 719-33, 746-87 and 1747-53.); and the system displays the symbols on the display in positions corresponding to the position at which they are to be marked on a workpiece. (See, e.g., program listing, lines 911-973, 1298-1306.)

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A control system for a marking machine of the type having:

a marking member carrying a plurality of marking symbols,

means for moving said marking member to sequentially locate said marking symbols at a marking location,

table means for supporting a workpiece at the marking location,

means for moving said table means and the workpiece supported thereby past said marking location to position successive portions of said workpiece at said marking location, and

means for momentarily displacing said marking member into engagement with a workpiece to effect marking thereof with said selected one of said symbols on said marking member located at said marking location;

said control system comprising:

manually actuatable keyboard means for alternatively selecting one of said marking symbols and one of a plurality of control codes and for producing an output representative of said selected symbol or said selected control code;

means responsive to said output for identifying said output as representative of a symbol or a control code and for determining whether said selected symbol is a symbol on said marking member;

means normally responsive to the identification of said output as a symbol on said marking member for initiating energization of said marking member moving means to move said marking member to locate said selected symbol at said marking location and for initiating energization of said marking member displacing means to effect said momentary displacement of said marking member and the resulting marking of said workpiece;

means responsive to the termination of each energization of said marking member displacing means for energizing said table moving means to increment said table means to position a new portion of said workpiece at said marking location;

manually settable switch means for selecting the distance said table means is to be moved during each of said table increments;

means responsive to the setting of said manually settable switch means for causing said table moving means to increment said table means a distance corresponding to the setting of said switch means; and

means responsive to the identification of said output as a control code for initiating one of a plurality of control operations corresponding thereto.

2. A control system as claimed in claim 1 including:

means for determining the shortest distance between the present position of said marking member and the position at which said selected symbol is located and for causing said marking member moving means to move said marking member said shortest distance.

3. A control system as claimed in claim 1 including:

means responsive to the initiation of a control operation when said control code has been identified as a control code selecting a multiple entry mode for inhibiting energization of said marking member moving means and for enabling said output responsive means to respond to a sequence of said outputs before said marking member moving means is energized.

4. A control system as claimed in claim 3 including:

means responsive to the initiation of a control operation when said control code has been identified as a control code for enabling a multiple print mode for enabling said output responsive means to respond to a multiple print control code.

5. A control system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for enabling a multiple print mode also terminates said multiple entry mode.

6. A control system as claimed in claim 4 including:

means responsive to the initiation of a control operation when said control code has been identified as a control code for said multiple print mode for initiating sequential actuation of said marking member displacing means.

7. A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said table moving means is a first table moving means for moving said table means and the workpiece supported thereby in a first direction whereby a line of symbols may be marked on said workpiece;

said marking machine including second table moving means for moving said table means and the workpiece supported thereby in a second direction whereby a plurality of lines of symbols may be marked on said workpiece;

said control system including:

display means for displaying all of the selected symbols prior to energization of said marking member moving means.

8. A control system as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

one of said control codes designates a symbol as a symbol not to be marked on said workpiece; and including

means responsive to said designating control code for altering the display of said designated symbol from the display of non-designated symbols.

9. A control system as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said manually settable switch means is a first manually settable switch means for selecting the distance said table means is to be moved in said first direction during each of said table increments;

said control system including second manually settable switch means for selecting the distance said table means is to be moved in said second direction during each of said table increments; and

said switch setting responsive means being responsive to the setting of said first manually settable switch means for causing said first table moving means to increment said table means a distance in said first direction corresponding to the setting of said first switch means for controlling the spacing between adjacent symbols in a line marked on said workpiece and responsive to the setting of said second manually settable switch means for causing said second table moving means to increment said table means a distance in said second direction corresponding to the setting of said second switch means for controlling the spacing between adjacent lines of symbols marked on said workpiece.

10. A control system as claimed in claim 9 including:

means responsive to said manually settable switch means for controlling said display means for altering the display thereof to display a maximum number of symbols in each line as a function of the setting of said first manually settable switch means and to display a maximum number of lines as a function of the setting of said second manually settable switch means,

wherein said display means displays the format of all of the symbols to be marked on a workpiece in the positions at which the symbols are to be marked.

11. A control system as claimed in claim 10 including:

memory means;

means for storing information corresponding to the formatted display in said memory means; and

means for recalling said stored information from said memory means and displaying said information on said display means.

12. A control system as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

said switch responsive means is responsive to the setting of said switch means in said recalled information.

13. A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said means for initiating energization of said marking member is normally responsive to the identification of said output as a symbol on said marking member for displaying said symbol in an optical display.

14. A control system for a marking machine of the type having:

a marking member carrying a plurality of marking symbols,

means for moving said marking member to sequentially locate said marking symbols at a marking location,

table means for supporting a workpiece at the marking location,

first means for moving said table means and the workpiece supported thereby in a first direction past said marking location to position successive portions of said workpiece at said marking location, whereby a line a symbols may be marked on said workpiece,

second means for moving said table means and the workpiece supported thereby in a second direction whereby a plurality of lines of symbols may be marked on said workpiece, and

means for momentarily displacing said marking member into engagement with a workpiece to effect marking thereof with said selected one of said symbols on said marking member located at said marking location;

said control system comprising:

manually actuatable keyboard means for alternatively selecting one of said marking symbols and one of a plurality of control codes and for producing an output representative of said selected symbol or said selected control code;

means responsive to the identification of said output as a control code for initiating one of a plurality of control operations corresponding thereto;

means responsive to said output for identifying said output as representative of a symbol or a control code and for determining whether said selected symbol is a symbol on said marking member;

display means for displaying all of the selected symbols prior to energization of said marking member moving means;

means responsive to the identification of said output as a symbol on said marking member for displaying said symbol on said display means in a position corresponding to the position at which said symbol is to be marked on said workpiece;

first manually settable switch means for selecting the distance said table means is to be moved in said first direction during each of said table increments;

second manually settable switch means for selecting the distance said table means is to be moved in said second direction during each of said table increments;

means responsive to the setting of said first manually settable switch means for causing said first table moving means to increment said table means a distance in said first direction corresponding to the setting of said first switch means for controlling the spacing between adjacent symbols in a line marked on said workpiece and responsive to the setting of said second manually settable switch means for causing said second table moving means to increment said table means a distance in said second direction corresponding to the setting of said second switch means for controlling the spacing between adjacent lines of symbols marked on said workpiece;

means responsive to said manually settable switch means for controlling said display means for altering the display thereof to display a maximum number of symbols in each line as a function of the setting of said first manually settable switch means and to display a maximum number of lines as a function of the setting of said second manually settable switch means,

whereby said display means displays the format of all of the symbols to be marked on a workpiece in the positions at which the symbols are to be marked;

memory means;

means for storing information corresponding to the formatted display in said memory means; and

means for recalling said stored information from said memory means and displaying said information on said display means;

said switch responsive means is responsive to the setting of said switch means in said recalled information;

means responsive to the initiation of a control operation when said control code has been identified as a control code for enabling a multiple print mode for initiating sequential actuation of said marking member moving means to move said marking member to locate said selected symbol at said marking location and for initiating energization of said marking member displacing means to effect said momentary displacement of said marking member and the resulting marking of said workpiece; and

means responsive to the termination of each energization of said marking member displacing means for energizing said table moving means to increment said table means to position a new portion of said workpiece at said marking location.