Incremental printing of symbolic information

SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This class provides for processes and apparatus for conveying information by selectively creating on a medium a visibly distinguishable symbol* or mark* composed of a plurality of portions*. The symbol* or mark* is created portion* by portion* as, for example, by pixels or dots. The symbol* or mark* may be an alphanumeric character or an image.

SCOPE OF THIS CLASS (347)

(1) Note. The symbol* or mark* is created portion* by portion*. A symbol* or mark* which is not created portion* by portion* is found elsewhere. For example, printing type, typewriters, stencils, and hand stamps create a whole mark* rather than a mark* portion* by portion*. (See References to Other Classes, below, for these latter classes).

(2) Note. The symbol or mark which is created using a character supporting electrode stylus by which an electrostatic charge is deposited onto or discharged from a medium is, however, classified in this class (347).

(3) Note. The symbol* or mark* conveys information. Information is the communication of knowledge or intelligence. For example, an alphanumeric character and an image are marks* which convey information. A code (e.g., a bar code) is a mark* which conveys information.

(4) Note. A visibly distinguishable mark* created portion* by portion* for a purpose other than conveying information is found elsewhere. For an example of a coating formed in this manner, see References to Other Classes below.

(5) Note. Some portion* by portion* marks* in a specific situation are found elsewhere. For a portion* by portion* mark in the production of a printing plate see References to Other Classes, below.

(6) Note. The marking* can be combined* for a special purpose. Special purpose devices are found elsewhere; e.g., facsimile devices, electrophotographic copiers, labelers, and recorders. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

(7) Note. The marking* device is made up of several portions*: a combined* portion, a controller portion, a head* portion, a marking* portion, a medium portion, and a housing portion. The combined* portion is the combination of a marking* device and an external means which functions as a special information marking* system. The controller portion contains the means to direct the operation of the marking* device or any of its component parts. The head* portion contains the means which provides the marking*. The marking* portion contains the specifics of the marking* (e.g., the fluid, the impact, the heat, the electricity, and the radiation). The mechanism portion contains the medium, its handling, and its processing. The housing portion* contains an outer enclosure for the marking* device.