Abstract: A cognitive communication assistant receives a message transmitted over a communication network from a sender to a recipient. A sender's industry identified with the sender and a recipient's industry identified with the recipient are determined. One or more terms associated with the sender's industry are extracted from the message. A definition associated with the one or more terms is searched for in an on-line reference text. The message is updated based on the definition. The message is transmitted over the communication network to the recipient.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a system and method for short form and long form detection. Using a language-independent process, the detection system can ingest a corpus of documents, pre-process those documents by tokenizing the documents and performing a part-of-speech analysis, and can filter one or more candidate short forms using one or more filters that select for semantic criteria. Semantic criteria can include the part of speech of a token, whether the token contains more than a pre-determined amount of symbols or digits, whether the token appears too frequently in the corpus of documents, and whether the token has at least one uppercase letter. The detection system can detect short forms independent of case and punctuation, and independent of language-specific metaphone variants.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a system and method for short form and long form detection. Using a language-independent process, the detection system can ingest a corpus of documents, pre-process those documents by tokenizing the documents and performing a part-of-speech analysis, and can filter one or more candidate short forms using one or more filters that select for semantic criteria. Semantic criteria can include the part of speech of a token, whether the token contains more than a pre-determined amount of symbols or digits, whether the token appears too frequently in the corpus of documents, and whether the token has at least one uppercase letter. The detection system can detect short forms independent of case and punctuation, and independent of language-specific metaphone variants.

Abstract: A method for intelligently handling abbreviations in text-based electronic communications can begin with the compilation of abbreviation usage history data by an intelligent abbreviation handler component of a text-based electronic communications system. The abbreviation usage history data can indicate a presentation preference for abbreviation elements based upon past usage by the user. An abbreviation element can be an abbreviation, an acronym, or an initialism. The abbreviation element can be presented in a condensed format or an expanded format. Abbreviation elements can be identified in a received text-based electronic communication. The presentation preference of each identified abbreviation element can be intelligently determined for each recipient from the abbreviation usage history data. An abbreviation-adjusted text-based electronic communication can be created for each recipient using the received text-based electronic communication and the determined presentation preference.

Abstract: A field for which a first priority level that has been set is the same as a second priority level that is stored in a priority level storage portion is specified as an update field from among a plurality of fields that have been defined in a content that is stored in a data storage portion. At least one character that is contained in the update field is updated in the specified order. A level of the second priority level is lowering by one level in a case where a character rollover has occurred during the updating of the at least one character. Printable data for the content in which the at least one character has been updated is created in a case where the character rollover has not occurred during the updating of the at least one character. The update field is specified every time the second priority level that is stored in the priority level storage portion is lowered.

Abstract: A method for intelligently handling abbreviations in text-based electronic communications can begin with the compilation of abbreviation usage history data by an intelligent abbreviation handler component of a text-based electronic communications system. The abbreviation usage history data can indicate a presentation preference for abbreviation elements based upon past usage by the user. An abbreviation element can be an abbreviation, an acronym, or an initialism. The abbreviation element can be presented in a condensed format or an expanded format. Abbreviation elements can be identified in a received text-based electronic communication. The presentation preference of each identified abbreviation element can be intelligently determined for each recipient from the abbreviation usage history data. An abbreviation-adjusted text-based electronic communication can be created for each recipient using the received text-based electronic communication and the determined presentation preference.

Abstract: An approach is provided for implementing locked printing on a printing device with remote unlock. The printing device includes a locked print process that is configured to examine print data received by the printing device and determine whether locked printing is to be used for the print data. Print data designated for locked printing is stored on the printing device. The printing device also includes a Web application configured to generate Web pages that define a Web-based graphical user interface. When processed at a client device, the Web pages allow a user to enter authorization data that is transmitted to the Web application on the printing device. The locked print process verifies the authorization data and if the authorization data is successfully verified, allows the user access to locked print data on the printing device. The approach may also be implemented using a common repository to store print data.

Abstract: A document processing device including a keyboard for inputting various data and instructions, a print mechanism for printing on a print medium dot pattern data which are developed in a print data buffer, a memory for storing input data of characters and symbols, and a controller for controlling the keyboard, a display and the print mechanism, a block indication unit for inputting, from the keyboard, block indication data which are indicated as a block for each array of plural characters and symbols at a data input time, and storing the block indication data into the memory with the data of the plural characters and symbols of the block, and a block border ruled line data preparing unit for calculating a block size for each block using the data of the memory, and developing the ruled line data of a rectangular block border into the print data buffer.

Abstract: After a character key provided on a keyboard has been operated to input a text, it is determined using a cut-mark key or the like whether or not a cut mark exists. If it is determined that the cut mark exists, the position for printing the cut mark can be set on a liquid crystal display based on width data extending from an upper end of a tape. Then, the cut mark is printed on the tape together with a text in a text memory, based on the cut mark whose position has been set, thereby producing a tape with characters applied thereon.

Abstract: A printer capable of printing characters within a frame is disclosed. In such printer, when the frame start key on the keyboard is depressed, the frame start code data is inserted in the text memory and when the frame terminating key on the keyboard is depressed, the frame terminating code data is inserted in the text memory. Thereafter, according to depressing of the print key, the frame spaces are formed at both the frame start code data and the frame terminating code data. And the frame start point and the frame terminating point are respectively set to the frame space corresponding to the frame start code data and the frame space corresponding to the frame terminating code data. Further, the image data of the character code data stored in the text memory is prepared, and at the same time, the image data of the frame is prepared according to the frame start point and the frame terminating point. At that time, the image data of the frame is prepared so that the frame spaces are included within the frame.

Abstract: A printing machine comprising a printing head, a drive unit for printing, a mode setting unit, a data supplying unit, and a controller that controls the print drive unit based on data supplied from the data supplying unit is disclosed. The printing machine may use any one of a plurality of printing heads having different type faces. The printing machine compensates for different line type faces and/or a different type-face layouts between heads. The print drive unit selectively moves one type face on the printing head to a predetermined position above a print paper and prints the character on the paper. The mode setting unit serves to set a mode associated with the printing head in use. The data supplying unit holds data about printing, including line data.

Abstract: A printing head includes solenoids arranged in an annular array for driving needles which are arranged in a zigzag array of two vertical columns. Solenoids corresponding to needles forming one of the columns are arranged on a semicircle of the annular array in the same order as that of the needles on the needle column. Two solenoids respectively corresponding to needles disposed at lower ends of the two needle columns are designed to generate magnetic fluxes whose directions are the same. During underline printing where these two solenoids are alternately energized, the magnetic flux generated by one of the solenoids never acts to increase an effective magnetic flux of the other solenoid at an initial stage of the excitation period thereof, so that the needle of the first solenoid reaches its forwardmost position at an appropriate time. The needle is rapidly restored and its tip prevented from being caught by the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a print wheel having a vertical lien character, a minus symbol character, and an underline symbol character. A first control moves a carriage on which the print wheel is mounted at one of two pitches and a second control advances a printing paper for receiving printing at one of two pitches in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage. Respective keys select the vertical line character and underline character for printing and the printing and paper-advancing pitches. One key signals repeat actuation of either the key selecting the vertical line character or the underline character and a memory stores actuation of the key for selecting the vertical line character. Printing of a vertical line character and advancement of paper is achieved by a control in response to actuation of the repeat signaling key, if the memory stores actuation of the vertical character key.

Abstract: In the print apparatus of this invention, a ruled line is formed on a print medium as a line-up of lines printed by plural printing operation with a line type. A carriage on which the printing unit including the line type is installed is moved from the position where the end of the ruled line composing the outline of a table, is located toward the center of the table at a half print pitch of maximum print pitch, irrespective of the print pitch set by an operator, when the edge of the ruled line is printed. And the ruled line is printed on the print medium by the operation of the printing unit. Moreover, when the middle size of type which can be used corresponding to various print pitches is installed on the carriage, the ruled line can be printed not to protrude from ruled line composing the outline contacting with this ruled line whatever print pitches are set.

Abstract: A dot printer device is disclosed, in which in order to print a horizontal ruled line, paper feed data for placing the head pin of a printing head at a predetermined position on a printing paper, dot pin data indicative of a dot pin specified on the basis of a predetermined rotation of dot pins for printing the horizontal ruled line, and paper feed data indicative of how much the printing paper is to be moved in accordance with the predetermined rotation of dot pins after the horizontal ruled line has been printed by the specified dot pin, are sent from a control unit to a printing unit.

Abstract: The elements of a printing mechanism, including a platen, print head and drive motors, are constructed and arranged to provide a clearance permitting an envelope to remain entirely in a flat condition in a plane tangent to the platen at the location of the printing line while the envelope is being printed by the print head. The housing of the printing mechanism is constructed with specially configured slots. First and second opposite end walls of the housing, and a third wall, extending from one end wall to the other, provide at least partial coverage of the print head and platen. The third wall has a slot extending from one end wall to the other, the slot being arranged to receive an envelope and to allow the envelope to be inserted in a flat condition between the print head and the platen. The end walls have parallel slots, meeting and continuous with the slot of the third wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing characters and ruled lines which includes an input device for inputting character data and lateral and longitudinal line data, a printing device for printing characters and ruled lines every page on prescribed paper, and a control device for judging whether a longitudinal line exists or not in each of the lines just before and after the boundary between two pages and giving any one of the following instructions to the printing device when the existence of a lateral line is recognized on the boundary; (i) to print a lateral line on the bottom of the foot line of the previous page when the longitudinal line exists on the last line before the boundary but not on the first line after the boundary; (ii) to print a lateral line on the upside of the first line of the following page when the longitudinal line exists on the first line after the boundary but not on the first line before the boundary; and (iii) to print a lateral line on the bottom of the foot line of the previous page and the

Abstract: A printer having an underlining function includes an underline position memory. Each bit of the underline position memory is allotted to each printable position, and contents of bits corresponding to the underline positions are inverted.

Abstract: A computer program for controlling an ink-jet printer-plotter having a conventional multi-jet ink-jet cartridge operates so that when the printer-plotter is in plot mode, the jets are used in sequence, instead of conventionally always using the same jet. A different jet is used each time a new graph is started. This method lengthens the life of the cartridge by reducing stress on any one of the jets.

Abstract: A printer with a frame-printing function can automatically print out a frame with horizontal lines and vertical lines well-conformed to each other. The memory device of the printer stores externally input format data including data of line spacing, data of vertical line positions, and data of the number of horizontal lines. Based on these format data, the horizontal lines are printed first, and then the vertical lines are printed, so that the bottom end of each vertical line touches the bottom horizontal line without going beyond it.

Abstract: In a text processing device, provided is an improved tabulation function. The vertical positions of horizontal ruled lines dividing two rows are calculated based upon the intervals existing between these columns. If the row interval is expanded or changed, the horizontal ruled lines remain consistent in a predetermined relationship with a character string.

Abstract: In order to print well balanced underlines under a character string printed at an expanded print pitch, the disclosed printing apparatus comprises an expanded pitch setting means for setting an expanded pitch mode for providing an expanded space corresponding to a predetermined times of set print pitch between neighboring characters, and an underline print control means for controlling to print one or more underline in the expanded space between a preceding printed character and a succeeding character to be printed, when the data of the succeeding character is entered in both of the underline mode and the expanded pitch mode.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter has a function of making a rectangular frame, which is composed of a horizontal line and a vertical line. To make a frame in the course of the sequential input of characters, an operator moves the printing position to the upper left vertex of the frame that is to be printed, and then, the operator depresses a specific key, which is called frame key, when the printing position arrives at the upper left vertex of the frame that is to be printed. After the operator puts in characters or spaces that are to be inserted in the frame, the operator moves the printing point to the lower right vertex of the frame and the operator then depresses the frame key again. By the operations of twice depressing the frame key, the printing position data for making the frame is taken in. The electronic typewriter then calculates both the starting and ending positions of the segments that compose the frame.

Abstract: An improved ink ribbon cassette for a serial printing apparatus comprises a body, first and second substantially coextensive spaced ink ribbon guide arms projecting from the body, each having a free end, and an ink ribbon mounted in the body for advancement during printing and having a portion extending between the free ends of the guide arms so as to be available for printing. One of the guide arms has a window therein through which the ribbon is visible. A first optically detectable indicator is carried on the ribbon at a position to be visible through the window when the ribbon is substantially exhausted. A second optically detectable structure is mounted on the guide arm adjacent the window and laterally spaced therefrom in the direction of movement of the ribbon. This second optically detectable structure indicates the type of ribbon in the cassette.

Abstract: Electronic word processing is carried out with a keyboard including character keys and attribute keys. Attribute codes input by the attribute keys are stored in an attribute code memory in accordance with the sequence of attribute key operation. An attribute pattern corresponding to an attribute code read out from the memory is read out from attribute pattern memories, and is printed by a printing section after compounding by an instruction from an attribute compounding designation section.

Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of recording a graphical representation such as a bar graph, broken-line graph and a pie charat, and a succession of explanatory characters accompanying the graphical representation, such that the explanatory characters are recorded selectively in a first and a second direction. The apparatus includes an input device through which the explanatory characters are entered, a recording mechanism for recording the graphical representation and the explanatory characters on a recording medium and a device for selecting the first direction if a length of the succession of explanatory characters is equal to or smaller than a reference value, and selecting the second direction if the length is larger than the reference value. The second direction is determined so as to assure a sufficient space for recording the succession of characters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for engraving a surface by a rotating tool movable along X, Y and Z axes under computer control. The tool projects through a slit in a housing, the slit having a height greater than that of the characters to be engraved and a length longer than the series of characters to be engraved. Mechanical structure is contained in the housing to drive the tool along X and Y axes for forming the characters and along a Z axis to engage the work. The beginning and end of the engraving operation as well as character size and sequence are all controlled by a computer.

Abstract: A character erasable printing apparatus is designed to erase a character or an underline in plural times of erasing action by moving the printing head, and to print a character by a single printing action.Therefore, when an underlined character is erased together with its underline, and a correct character is printed together with an underline, the underline is interrupted.Disclosed are, to pervent such interruption of the underline, a character erasable printing apparatus capable of erasing only the character without erasing the underline when the underline mode is being set, a character erasable printing apparatus capable of erasing only the character without erasing the underline when erasing a character adjacent to an underlined character, and a character erasable printing apparatus capable of erasing the underline without moving the printing head when erasing an underline of a character adjacent to an underlined character.

Abstract: An output apparatus includes input apparatus for inputting at least space information and character information; a memory for storing output data corresponding to the input information to be output; an additional information memory for storing additional information, such as underline information, to be added to the output data; a distinction unit for determining whether or not the memory stores the output data when space data is input; and a unit for inhibiting a readout operation of the data output from the additional information memory when the distinction unit determines that the output data is not stored in the memory.

Abstract: A printer having a first memory for storing character data representative of lines of characters to be printed on a recording medium, a second memory for storing line-space data representative of a line spacing between the lines of characters, and a control device for activating a print head according to the character data stored in the first memory, and controlling the print head and a paper feed device according to the line-space data stored in the second memory, to underscore at least one of the characters of the printed lines. The position of the underscore is controlled such that a distance between the underscore and the underscored characters is varied depending upon the line spacing represented by the line-space data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer having a correction ribbon tape for correcting printed characters. A plurality of characters printed in the same print position can be corrected in one step of feed of the correction ribbon tape.

Abstract: In a printer for printing an attributed character by printing a character part and an attribute part separately, the invented printer or typewriter is so constructed that only an attribute part, e.g., an underline part or a bold face part, is printed in case a printed character is detected to already have the attribute, i.e., is underlined, or bold face, thereby preventing a character part of the printed character from being double printed. This results in improved quality in printed characters and in complete clear character erasures. The printer is also effective for overprinting attribute parts to over a desired range of printed characters.

Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of recording characters and graphical representations, having a display which is adapted to display a special symbol together with the characters, so that the special symbol indicate the position of a graphical representation to be recorded before or after a written description or between written descriptions. The apparatus may have a display which has at least one indicator area adapted to effect selective display of each one of numerical values of plural groups of numerical data in a memory, which are recorded in a graphical or tabular form. The desired one of the numerical values of the desired one of the numerical data groups is dsiplayed by designating corresponding one of blocks of a hypothetical table defined by rows and columns. When one block of the hypothetical table is designated while the numerical value corresponding to another block adjacent to that one block is displayed, the numerical value corresponding to the designated block is displayed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of recording a graph according to graphic pattern data representative of a pattern of the graph, and graph data representative of values to be presented in the graph. The apparatus includes a control device for effecting and controlling relative movements between recording instrument and medium, a setting device for determining a maximum X-axis recordable range and a maximum Y-axis recordable range, a checking device for judging if an X-axis plotting range and a Y-axis plotting range which are necessary to record the graph exceed the X-axis and Y-axis recordable ranges, respectively, and an indicator for indicating the axis along which a plotting area defined by the X-axis and Y-axis plotting ranges extends beyond a maximum recordable area defined by the maximum recordable ranges.

Abstract: A word or text processing system has a bidirectional printer with formatting capability. A line of text is printed in one direction, and the printer is backspaced to form complex characters by adding overstrikes, such as underlining or accent marks. The formatting unit includes a storage mechanism for storing encoded space images, including variable width spaces, in a first scan pass. Space images overlapped by a backspace are deleted from the storage mechanism during the scan pass, and the number of spaces backspaced over is subtracted from the total count of expandable spaces available for justification. Upon detecting a space in the input data during the format pass, the system examines the space storage mechanism to determine if the image of the space is encoded therein. A space is expanded for line justification only if the space is encoded in the space storage mechanism.

Abstract: A pen recorder for writing characters and graphic patterns with recording pens on a sheet of recording paper by moving the recording pens in an X-axis direction and moving the sheet of recording paper in a Y-axis direction. When a desired key on a keyboard is depressed, the recording pens and the sheet of recording paper are moved to write a character corresponding to the depressed key on the sheet of recording paper. The size of the character can relatively freely be selected by operation switches for selecting horizontal and vertical character sizes. The pen recorder is automatically controlled for the same operability when the character size is changed in any of horizontal and vertical directions. Where the character size is changed horizontally, an alarm is issued prior to the completion of recording in a recording position a prescribed number of characters prior to a preset right margin.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording graphs or other graphical representations, with relative movements between a writing instrument on a carriage which is moved by a carriage drive unit, and a sheet of paper which is fed by a paper feed unit in opposite directions perpendicular to the line of movements of the carriage. The writing instrument is moved between a recording position, and a non-recording position in which the writing instrument is spaced away from the paper. The apparatus comprises a controller for activating the paper feed unit and carriage drive unit to effect relative non-recording movements of the writing instrument and the paper with the writing instrument held in the non-recording position.

Abstract: A writing-plotting apparatus with a keyboard capable of writing characters in a writing mode, and plotting graphs in a plotting mode, comprising a carriage carrying a writing instrument such a ball-point pen movable toward and away from a sheet of paper, a first memory for storing character pattern data representative of characters, a second memory for storing graphic pattern data representative of patterns of graphs, and a control device which, in the writing mode, reads out from the first memory the character pattern data corresponding to the operated character keys, and in the plotting mode, reads out from the second memory the graphic pattern data. The control device is responsive to the read-out character or graphic pattern data to control the operations of drives for feeding the paper along one axis, and reciprocating the carriage along another axis perpendicular to the one axis.

Abstract: For underlining a text section a command is typed both before and after the text section in the typing sequence, which command causes the storing of position values in two registers. The underlining is then performed underneath the already entered characters. A command for line advance, facultatively in connection with returning the printing head to a left position, ensures that the underlining will be performed prior to the line advance, but that the conditions for the underline will be retained also for the next line.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for writing characters in a writing mode and plotting graphs in a plotting mode, with a writing instrument supported on a reciprocating carriage, based on input data through a keyboard which is operable in a first mode in which at least numerals are keyed in, and in a second mode in which letters and symbols are keyed in. The apparatus comprises a control device for controlling a paper feeding device and the carriage, to write in the writing mode the characters which are keyed in through corresponding character keys with the keyboard placed selectively in the first mode or in the second mode, and to plot the graphs in the plotting mode based on the operations of the keys with the keyboard placed in the first mode.

Abstract: An impact printing system which is particularly suitable for word processing is provided with the capability of effecting mid-line pitch changes. The impact printer system which is particularly compatible with interactive display terminals in word processing system has means for receiving a selected one of a plurality of type or character font elements. The pitch of character font elements are different from each other. The printing system includes means for selectively impacting selected characters from selected fonts along lines in a document. The system further includes control apparatus for controlling and determining the selection of font elements to be used and in the case of printing with a particular font element, the characters to be printed in respective positions along the lines of the document to provide the desired document format. The control apparatus includes apparatus for controlling the printing with at least two different font elements having different pitch along a single line.

Abstract: A method of generating character patterns to be printed on a printer, wherein each character is divided into line segments in the X or Y axis direction or 45.degree.-angle direction on the X/Y coordinates. Segments are processed in pairs of contiguous, linked lines. The method eliminates the need for storing positional data for the node of linked lines, whereby the capacity of memory for storing numerous complex character patterns can be saved.

Abstract: In a pen type plotting apparatus, a pen type X-Y recording mechanism is provided for driving a carriage supporting a pen, a recording paper and the pen to their operative positions. The driving operation of the X-Y recording mechanism is controlled by a recording control portion comprising a recording control means which provides a first operational mode for carrying out an ordinary recording operation and a second operational mode for reprinting a predetermined amount of initially recorded patterns for a predetermined number of times, and means for selecting the second operational mode when a recording operation is initiated by turning a power source for the apparatus to on.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording on a recording paper characters and symbols as well as graphs based on pattern data stored in memories by actuating keys of a keyboard section. The recording of a character or symbol is effected by moving a writing instrument relative to the recording paper, and an upright position or a lying position may be selected as a recorded posture of the character or symbol. The recording apparatus includes a writing instrument restoring device which enables the writing instrument to be automatically restored, when the recorded posture is switched from the lying position back to the upright position from which it was previously switched to the lying position, to a position on the recording paper in which the writing instrument was disposed when the recorded posture was previously switched from the upright position to the lying position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multihead serial printer comprising a plurality of printing heads mounted on different carriages and having a high-speed printing mode in which a plurality of printing heads print different letters and a high-density printing mode in which a plurality of printing heads print different parts of one letter. These two printing modes can be changed over between each other. A plurality of carriages are independently supported by a common guide and the carriages are respectively movable in the line direction by different driving sources. At least one carriage comprises a shift mechanism for moving the printing head in the row direction along the surface of a platen.

Abstract: A pen recording apparatus provided with a plurality of ball point pens of different colors, and a pen section mechanism for selecting a suitable ball point pen for writing characters, symbols, etc., and drawing graphs. The recording apparatus can be switched between a typing mode, in which characters, symbols, etc., are typed, and a graphic mode, in which graphs are drawn. The recording apparatus includes a writing control device whereby, when the recording apparatus is switched from the graphic mode in which a graph is drawn in a plurality of colors to the typing mode, a ball point pen of the color originally disposed in the writing position when the recording apparatus was switched previously from the typing mode to the graphic mode is automatically disposed in the writing position, regardless of the colors of the ball point pens used in the graphic mode.

Abstract: The slaved ramp voltage generator disclosed herein facilitates the writing of characters by a servo controlled stylus carried on a moving carriage. The carriage is driven at a selectable speed and the drive system generates pulse signals at a rate which is proportional to carriage speed. A digital counter is advanced by these pulse signals and the digital value held by the counter is converted to an analog voltage which varies in proportion to displacement of the carriage. This carriage displacement voltage is summed with a vector-defining position voltage to obtain a control voltage which drives the stylus servo mechanism to effect writing with respect to a moving frame of reference.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter has a vertical tab key for printing one continuous vertical line, extending in a plurality of printing lines. By operating the vertical tab key, a control unit detects a set paper feed amount and feeds the paper reversely to a position whereat printing of a vertical line is done, in alignment with a vertical line printed in a previous printing line, thereby to print a continuous vertical line. The paper is fed forwards by an amount less than the unit length of vertical line which can be an amount less than a unit length of the vertical line as one character, and then the vertical line is printed. Such operations are repeated so that one vertical line continues from the vertical line of the previous printing line to the present printing line.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a type wheel carrying a plurality of type elements and a platen for mounting and advancing a printing paper. A hammer can strike any one of the type elements against the printing paper and an ink ribbon is positionable between the type elements and the paper to imprint a character on the paper when any one of the type elements is struck. The ink ribbon is advanced by a driving mechanism. First, second, and third selecting systems respectively select one of a plurality of degrees of advancement of the printing paper, one of a plurality of time intervals of actuation of the hammer, and one of a plurality of amounts of advancement of the ink ribbon. First, second, and third counters each count pulses from respectively associated first, second, and third pulse generators to, respectively, first, second, and third set values determined by the selected degree of paper advancement, time interval of hammer actuation, and amount of ribbon advancement.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprising a paper feed device for feeding a recording paper in forward and reverse directions; a carriage for supporting a writing tool and being movable perpendicularly to the feed direction of the paper; a carriage drive device for driving the carriage; a writing tool drive device for driving the writing tool towards the recording paper; a character pattern generator for generating character patterns; a control device for reading out corresponding character pattern data on basis of record data and driving the carriage drive device and the writing tool drive device to control the paper feed device, in response to the character pattern data; change means for changing lateral and longitudinal directions of recording; and means for mutually changing drive signals to be supplied from the control device to the paper feed device and the carriage drive device, respectively, on the basis of the change means, whereby direction of recording can be simply and readily changed.