printer

When the buffer gets full, the printer sends an XOFF control code to the computer to tell it to suspend its stream of data. When the buffer fress up space by sending some of the chracters to its processor, the printer sends an XON code to the PC, which resumes sending data.
3]Among other codes are commands that tell printer to use a certain fonts's bitmap table, which is contained in the printer's read-only memory chips. That table tells the printer the pattern of dots that it should use to create the character represented by the ASC II
4] The printer's processor takes the information provided by the bitmap table for an entire line of type and calculates the most efficient path for the print head to travel. Some lines may be printed from roght to left. The processor sends the signals that fire the pins in the print head, and it also controls the movement of the print head and platen.
5] Electrical signals from the processor are amplified and travel to certain of the circuits that lead to the print head. The print head contains 9 or 24 wires, called printing-pins, that are aligned in one or two straight lines. One end of each of the pins is matched to an individual solenoid, which creates a magnetic field that repels a magnet on the end of the pin, causing the pin to race toward the paper.
6] The moving pin strikes a ribbon that is coated with ink. The force of the impact transfers ink to the paper on the other side of the ribbon. After the pin fires, a spring pulls it back to its original position. The print head continues firing different combination of print wires as it moves across the page so that all characters are made up of various vertical dot patterns. Some printers improve print quality or create boldface by moving the print head through a second pass over the same line of type to print a secong set of dots that are offset slightly from the first set.