The device of the present invention is intended to be attached to a ball-element type typewriter to permit rapid switching among a plurality of ball elements. While the invention has utility in any instance where the need arises for switching rapidly and frequently among a number of ball elements, it is particularly useful in systems as described for utilization of a standard typewriter for typing Chinese or Japanese.

An automatic typefont loader is sequenced to change the printwheel typefont of a printer. An elongated rack supports plural picker holders along its length and is normally located beneath the platen of the printer. Typefonts to be exchanged are held by the picker holders. During an exchanging sequence, the typefont carrier which is positioned along the platen to effect printing at discrete printing positions is positioned to a discrete printing position adjacent an empty picker holder for a typefont unloading operation. The elongated rack is then elevated so that the empty picker holder contacts the typefont. The typefont is removed from its carrier by moving the typefont carrier perpendicular to its normal motion. The picker holder rack is then withdrawn and the now empty typefont carrier is positioned to a second discrete printing position adjacent a selected typefont located on a picker holder. The picker holder rack is elevated and the typefont carrier moves toward the selected picker holder to retrieve a typefont. The operation is completed with the withdrawal of the rack to its normal position beneath the platen.

A system for handling multiple printer font requirements during playout of a plurality of sequentially stored text columns in a side-by-side format. A line from one column is printed on a print line, the carrier is caused to escape, and any corresponding line from a succeeding column is printed on the same line. Printing and escapement continue until all corresponding lines from each column are printed on the same print line prior to causing a printer carrier return. During playout within a column, or from column to column, printer font requirements stored with the text are used to determine subsequent system events. If one of the columns, or a portion thereof, is to be printed in a different type style or language, the system will signal a need for a font change, stop the playout and await an indication that a font change has been made.

The device of the present invention is an automated version of an attachment for a ball element type typewriter intended to permit rapid automatic or semi-automatic switching among a plurality of ball elements. While the invention has utility in any instance where the need arises for switching rapidly and frequently among a number of ball elements, it is particularly useful in systems as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,217 for utilization of a standard typewriter to type Chinese or Japanese.

An under-the-cover automatic font changing apparatus for a daisy wheel printer which utilizes a print element housed in a cartridge during printing. The apparatus is adapted to exchange print elements in the cartridge. Included in the apparatus are an elongated and vertically oriented rack, a plurality of print element holding means located along the rack, drive means for vertically elevating and lowering the rack in a single plane, and means for causing a selection motor drive hub included in the printer to be translated toward and away from the print element for a print element change. During printing, the drive hub is for rotating the print element housed in the cartridge. Cooperating with the apparatus is a carrier positionable along and above the rack and carrying the cartridge. The cartridge has spring means included therein for cooperating with the drive hub upon insertion of one of the holding means into the cartridge. The spring means and drive hub cooperate for (1) installing a print element included in the cartridge on the holding means for removal of the print element from the cartridge, and (2) removing a print element from the holding means for loading the cartridge with a print element.