Abstract: After document data have been inputted by operating character keys, if an automatic setting key is operated to allow the print character size to be set automatically and a print key is then operated, printing process control is executed and the greatest character size printable on a tape mounted in the tape printing apparatus is set (S33), a base line position shifting process is performed so that the character is positioned around the center of the width of the tape (S34). Then, dot image data in the print character size that is set on the basis of the document data is generated (S31) and the dot image data is output to the printing mechanism to be printed on the tape (S32).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for altering the length of time a print head in a dot-matrix type of printer mechanism receives driving voltage in accordance with the type of recording media being used by the printer, and preselected print head driving modes selected as a result of control commands provided by a host computer. The print head driving voltage is also measured and digitized, and then used along with the paper type as a parameter for altering the print mode. Memory elements can be used to establish print mode, print media, and drive voltage relationships for automatically selecting an optimum driving time interval in response to one of the selected parameters.

Abstract: When a label name is selected, a plurality of prompt associated with the selected label name are displayed one after the other on a display so that a user can easily know what text data needs to be inputted. The text memory stores text data inputted as prompted by each of the plurality of prompts associated with the selected label name. Also the text memory retrieves, from a registration layout information memory, print layout information for printing the inputted text data. The print mechanism prints the text data stored in the text memory on a tape based on the print layout information. In this way, a label printed with the text data, that can be adhered to the binding of files and the like, can be produced quickly and easily.

Abstract: A kerning method for adjusting a position of an object character relative to an adjacent reference character already fixed in place, in arranging characters of a character string in a predetermined direction based on rectangular character frames (imaginary bodies) including character patterns (faces) therein.

Abstract: A network includes plural client processors, a file server and plural printers. Each client processor has memory that stores a printer driver procedure which enables the client processor to interface with at least one printer type. The file server includes memory for storing a most updated printer driver procedure for each printer type coupled to the file server. The file server is responsive to a print request from a client processor to assign a printer to the requesting client processor. The file server then in combination with the client processor determines if a printer driver procedure for the assigned printer in the client processor is identical to a most updated printer driver procedure stored in memory in the file server. If not, the file server enables alteration of the printer driver procedure in the client processor to bring it into coincidence with the most updated print driver procedure.

Abstract: A document processing device which includes an input device for inputting characters, symbols and various instructions; a display having a cursor; a text memory for storing input data, such as the characters and symbols; a print element for printing the input data stored in the text memory; and a controller for controlling the input device, the display and the print element also includes the ability to set a fixed format mode in order to print the input data in a fixed format; a non-volatile fixed format information memory containing prescribed preset fixed formats such that the input data input in the fixed format mode is stored; a format information memory which is provided in the text memory and serves to store format information to print the input data, and an ability to read in the fixed format information from the fixed format information memory and transmit it to the format information memory.

Abstract: An output apparatus to which a plurality of detachable character pattern generators (font cartridges) can be attached comprises: a first character generator which is provided in the output apparatus main body and includes character pattern information constructed by a storing method other than an unprocessed dot matrix; a second character generator which is detachable from the output apparatus main body and includes character pattern information constructed by a storing method other than the unprocessed dot matrix; a socket to attach the second character generator to the apparatus main body; a discriminating circuit to decide whether the second character generator has keen attached to the socket or not; a controller for preferentially converting the characters included in the second character generator into the character patterns in the unprocessed dot matrix form that the characters included in the first character generator when the second character generator has been set to the socket and for storing the co

Abstract: A printer for continuously printing out essentially identical images with partial differences. The printer comprises a storage area (34) for storing predetermined constant data (3) and variable data (4), and at least a first and a second image data storage area (40, 41) for storing image data (2). The constant data (3) is combined with first variable data, and the combined data is stored into the first image data storage area (40) as the first image data. The first image data is then copied from the first image data storage area (40) to the second image data storage area (41). The first and the second image data storage area (40, 41) are switched by turns, and the variable data (4) within the image data (3) is updated using subsequent variable data. In parallel with the updating of the variable data (4) stored in the first image data storage area (40), the image data (2) held in the second image data storage area (41) is printed out.

Abstract: A character output apparatus outputs characters of arbitrary size with vector character fonts, in which the vector character font is associated with data indicating the effective size range and alternative font to be used outside the effective size range, in order to obtain clear character output in any size.

Abstract: A plurality of types of format data items are stored in a format storage section according to the width of a label tape and the number of lines of print data. A tape width sensing section senses the width of the label tape. A control section senses the number of lines of print data. The control section reads from the format storage section a plurality of formats corresponding to the sensed label tape width and the number of lines of print data sensed, and displays them on a display section. The user selects a suitable one from the plurality of formats displayed. The control section causes a printing section to print the entered data on the label tape according to the selected format.

Abstract: When a character key is operated, the apparatus reads display character size data for the inputted character, which corresponds to a selected print character size, in S40. Display dot pattern data corresponding to the starting character code in a text memory is then read out. The thus read out data is stored in the location designated by a display position pointer value of a display data buffer in S42. The print fullwidth data for the inputted character code is then read out in S43 so as to calculate the display fullwidth data for display in S44. The display fullwidth data is added to the display position pointer value to determine the next display position pointer value in S45. The display dot pattern data corresponding to the next character code is placed into the location designated by the next display position pointer value in S42.

Abstract: An output apparatus provided with an input unit for entering character information, a printing unit for printing the character information entered by the input unit, a memory unit for storing the character information entered by the input unit, and a selection unit for selecting a part of the character information printed by the printing unit, wherein the part, selected by the selection unit, of the character information can be re-printed by the printing unit.

Abstract: A character resource utilizing system for preparing print data from an extracted character resource and printing characters. The character resource utilizing system includes a memory for storing a first type of character resources and a second type of character resources, a print data processing unit for reading a desired character resource from the memory and preparing print data, a printing mechanism for printing the print data, and a processing unit for performing a charging process in accordance with the use of the second type of character resources read from the memory. Another character resource utilizing system comprises a character resource managing apparatus for storing at least a second type of character resources and transferring the second type of character resources in response to a character resource request, and a printing apparatus including the aforementioned memory, print data processing unit, printing mechanism and processing unit.

Abstract: This specification discloses apparatus and a process for printing data on a web of print from data related to a wider web than that to be printed upon. It includes a printer having a paper output of a narrower web than data from the wider web, and the provision of data as to the narrow and wide web width. The apparatus and process establishes the difference between the narrow web width of the printer and the wide web width and calculates the number of pages of narrow web width to be printed thereafter forming a raster output from the difference between the narrow web width and the wide web width to establish the width for printing by the printer.

Abstract: In a tape printing device, pressing the print execution key when print data and size data are stored on the memory causes the tape printing device to perform a calculation to obtain the total character height based on the number of print lines L and the vertical size of the print image. The tape printing device further performs a calculation to obtain the total blank space width based on the total height and the print allowance area and distributes the total width into the upper blank space width, the lower blank space width and the blank space width between the print lines based on the result of the calculation. The blank spaces are positioned according to the blank widths. The dot pattern data is spread along the base lines and positioned in the process.

Abstract: A tape print device for printing bar codes on a print tape includes: an input unit for inputting data indicative of a bar code desired to be printed on a tape; a data storage unit for temporarily storing the inputted data; an increment unit for serially incrementing at least a part of the data stored in the data storage means at least one time, in accordance with a predetermined order, to thereby produce at least one incremented data indicative of at least one incremented bar code, the thus produced at least one incremented data being stored in the data storage means; a print data generating unit for producing print data for the desired bar code and the at least one incremented bar code, based on the data stored in the data storage means; and a printing unit for receiving the print data and for printing images of the desired bar code and the at least one incremented bar code on a print tape.

Abstract: An article information printer is composed of a printing head having a row of dot printing elements, for performing a printing on paper by the dot printing elements. Particularly, the print controller has a mode setting section for setting one of a page selection mode and a line selection mode, a first image producing section for performing in the page selection mode a process of converting print data for one page supplied from an external device as article information into dot images and storing the dot images in the memory as the print image data, and a second image producing section for performing in the line selection mode a process of converting print data for one line supplied from the external device as article information into dot images and storing the dot images as the print image data. The second image producing section includes a printing height changing section for changing the number of dot lines for the print image data according to the maximum height of the dot images obtained for one line.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely printing information at a predetermined position on a label on a sheet which has been set at an arbitrary position in a document processing apparatus includes a keyboard for inputting into the document processing apparatus data representing the relative position of print information to be printed with a print head with respect to a print start position and data representing an absolute position of the print start position with respect to a predetermined and fixed reference position on a print plane. The apparatus also includes a central processing unit for controlling the movement of a carriage supporting the print head so that the print head first moves to the absolute position input by said second input means and then moves according to the data representing the relative position of the print information during printing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an output apparatus comprising plural analyzation units for analyzing data having different code systems, and a system for identifying which of the plural analysis units is best fitted for a given body of data.

Abstract: A tape printing device which prints an input text consisting of one or more lines of characters on tape. In case of this tape printing device, a judgement portion judges whether the number of lines of characters of the input text is not less than two, and whether or not a character-size entrusting mode, in which a character size to be assigned to each line is automatically determined, is selected. Subsequently, in case where the character-size entrusting mode is selected and the number of lines of characters of the input text is not less than two, a character-size determination portion generates length information representing a length of each line, to which a same character size is assigned, and determines the character-size attribute of each line according to the length information in such a manner to equalize lengths of at least two longest lines of characters of the input text.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a printer which can print at a speed according to a key operating speed of the user. A keyboard section KB includes: numeric keys for the user to input numeric data; function keys such as four-arithmetical operating keys such as addition "+", subtraction "-", multiplication ".times.", division ".div.". and total "="; and function keys such as clear key "C", memory key "M+", and the like which are set so as not to perform the printing, where the printing speed of the printer PR is variable. In an arithmetic computation unit AC, a period of time which is required after the numeric key of the keyboard KB was first operated until the function key accompanied with the printing operation is operated is divided by the number of key operation times, obtaining the average value of the key operation time intervals. The printing speed of the printer PR is controlled in accordance with the average operation time interval.

Abstract: A tape printing apparatus having a test printing function for printing a predetermined test pattern onto a tape upon operation of an appropriate key includes a printing part, a tape width detector, a memory and a print control unit. The printing part prints the predetermined test pattern. The tape width detector detects the width of the currently loaded tape. The memory stores test pattern data by which to print any one of a plurality of different test patterns depending on the tape width detected by the tape width detector. The print control unit retrieves from the memory the test pattern data corresponding to the detected tape width upon operation of the appropriate key and causes the printing part to print the test pattern onto the tape based on the retrieved test pattern data. Because the tape printing apparatus prints the test pattern according to the width of the currently loaded tape, an operator can determine what printing is available for that particular tape.

Abstract: A wordprocessing device having a keyboard which can input characters having a plurality of attributes. The character string can be modified when output such that all the characters have a common attribute, while the original character string data remains unmodified, stored in a memory, for further use. The modified character string can then be output by a printer onto a recording medium such as a tape.

Abstract: A printer which comprises a buffer memory for temporarily storing therein new print data, a full dot memory for holding therein a dot-developed print data in a dot pattern on a page basis, a buffer memory management table for managing the state of the print data of the buffer memory on the page basis, and a control means. The control means, when it is desired to store the new print data in the buffer memory, judges whether or not a page of the new print data is the same as a page of print data whose printing is not completed or being discharged. When the control means determines that the page of the new print data is the same as that of the print data being discharged, the control means stores the new print data in the buffer memory immediately after the dot development of the print data of the buffer memory on the full dot memory is completed.

Abstract: When a tape cassette having a special tape, such as a lettering tape, is mounted into a tape printing device, which normally permits user set margins, for printing image data on a tape by driving a thermal head and a tape feed motor until all image data is printed out, the user set margin is disregarded and the tape is automatically fed for predetermined amount for setting a predetermined rear margin behind the print end portion. The tape is then automatically fed further for the same amount prior cutting the tape, at the rear end of the margin by driving a tape cutter mechanism. Thus, a rear margin is provided for the cut tape and a front margin established before the next print start portion. The amount the tape is fed is an amount that is long enough to hold the lettering tape when an image printed on the tape is transferred onto the image receiving medium.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus which has a keyboard for inputting characters and instructions. The apparatus includes a memory that randomly stores the inputted characters as titles and documents. The memory includes a field associated with each of the titles for storing an evaluation value indicating an order for the sequential display of the titles. The evaluation value is generated by comparing each of the titles to each other to determine the order of the sequential display. The apparatus in response to the inputted instructions sequentially displays the titles in a forward or a reverse sequence.

Abstract: The document data of a plurality of blocks are input and an auto size is set. After this, when a print key is operated, the data concerning the width of a tape is read out by a cassette distinction sensor. Then, the block number is calculated based on the document data stored in the text memory, and further, the linage of the first block is calculated. The print size is calculated based on the size table corresponding to the tape width data and the linage to be printed. The base line position of each print line is calculated based on the print size, the document data, the tape width data and the linage. The dot pattern data in each line which is formed based on the print size and the document data is developed into the print buffer based on the base line position. When the processing in each block is completed, the print processing is executed. Thus, various blocks of print on the tape may be set to different sizes.

Abstract: A printer has a collective mode for searching a print control program adapted to the processing of print data from a number of print control programs stored in a printer and a combination mode for searching an adapted print control program from combinations of predetermined print control programs. The modes are selected by a key of a switch panel. From the print data, the control code for determining the print control command system is analyzed, and a print control program adapted to the analyzed control code is searched from the print control programs of each mode. This system enables the accurate determination of a print control program adapted to a print data processing a number of print control programs having different command systems for print control.

Abstract: A printing device, which is capable of printing image onto a tape-type recording medium along the longitudinal direction of the tape-type recording medium, is also capable of printing the image on the tape-type recording medium in a rotated fashion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tape-type recording medium. When the image is printed with a certain rotation, it is discriminated whether a length of the image to be printed in the rotated fashion in the width direction of the tape-type recording medium is smaller than the width of the tape-type recording medium. Then the size of the image to be printed is reduced if the length of the image is greater than or equal to the width of the tape-type recording medium.

Abstract: A ROM connected to a CPU comprises an emulation mode A judgment unit, an emulation mode A execution unit, an emulation mode B judgment unit, an emulation mode B execution unit, an emulation mode C judgment unit, an emulation mode C execution unit, and an emulation mode automatic switching unit. A ROM cartridge capable of being freely inserted into or removed from a slot connected to the CPU comprises an emulation mode D judgment unit and an emulation mode D execution unit. When a switching table is created according to the priority order set for each emulation mode and printing information is entered, an emulation mode judgment unit selects the emulation mode by testing according to the priority order of the emulation modes.

Abstract: After an operator inputs text data and presses the print execution key, a console for setting the size of characters appears on the display. Setting auto-mode in this step initiates the process of data examination. If the whole text consists of code data for capital alphabets and numerals, the control unit calculates the magnification power Q for magnifying original characters to maximum characters, and the printing device prints the text in maximum size.

Abstract: A printing device capable of printing a plurality of characters/symbols in a plurality of lines on a tape. The device determines the size of the characters/symbols to be printed on the tape based upon the number of lines to be printed and upon the number of characters/symbols to be printed within a predetermined area.

Abstract: In the printing apparatus which can carry a plurality kinds of operation modes, it can be determined whether an operation mode of the printing information sent from an external source is HP mode having control code or PS mode without control code. In such a printing apparatus, a simulation printing operation is carried out without printing using an operation mode P, which is a simulation mode of PS mode. As a result of the simulated printing, it is determined whether the printing information has a format that satisfies the format X of PS mode. If it is determined that the printing information has a format that satisfies the format X of PS mode, the printing information is processed as that of PS mode and the printing data is sent to the laser printer engine. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing information does not have a format that satisfies the format X of PS mode, the printing information is processed as that of HP mode and the printing data is sent to the laser printer engine.

Abstract: A page printer for printing a document by a page on receiving printing data sent from an external device. The printer comprises printing engine for performing a printing process based on page data and a page data preparing section for preparing page data on printing data input from the external device. The printer is provided with an external memory for storing prepared page data and control section for alternatively selecting either the external memory or the page data preparing section. The control section supplies the printing engine with page data from selected one of the page data preparing section and the external memory based on the selection.

Abstract: A system for printing data on a corresponding one of a plurality of record forms. The system includes a unit for distinguishing each of a plurality of record forms from each other, a data control unit governed by the distinguishing unit for transmitting data corresponding to the distinguished record form and a printing unit controlled by the data control unit for printing the transmitted data on the distinguished form.

Abstract: An intelligent, portable printer having a microprocessor controller, a printing mechanism and a web feed mechanism is integrated into an assembly which, together with a battery pack, may weigh about 2 pounds and be about 80 cubic inches in volume. The web has removable, adhesively attached labels which may be printed with bar codes, graphics, text or lines. Because the printer is so small and light in weight, it may be used at any site where labels are required. By labels is meant any tickets, stickers, or other patches of the type which are removably attachable to a carrier (so-called "label-stock"). The controller includes a microprocessor which communicates interactively with a terminal, which may contain a host computer, and which supplies data representing the material to be printed. The controller in the printer converts such data into the bar codes, graphics, text (in various fonts) or lines for operating the printing mechanism.

Abstract: A paper edge detecting device for a printing apparatus in which a paper margin of a print paper can be detected with high accuracy. A mark printing process is executed upon power-on of a printer, so that a carriage is displaced from an original position H0 to a position corresponding to a set pulse number H.sub.P and stopped at that position to print on the print paper a linear mark M aligned in a direction perpendicular to a displacement direction of the carriage. Thereafter, a mark detection process is executed, and the carriage is displaced from the original position H0 until the mark M is detected by the photosensor. Subsequently, a correction amount generating process is executed to calculate a correction value .alpha. on the basis of the set pulse number H.sub.P and the count value C.sub.P when the mark M is detected by the photosensor.

Abstract: Picture image forming apparatus is made up of a main controller 70 which forms picture image data based on the data sent from an external host computer and a mechanism controller 80 for controlling mechanical members adapted to execute a printing sequence. The mechanism controller 80 issues information presenting timing of a printing sequence, for example, paper feed start time, printing ready time, and a paper discharge completion time, and informs the information to the main controller 70. The main controller 70 can supervise the printing sequence based on the received information without provided with a timer that supervises the printing sequence.

Abstract: In a data processing device capable of attachably and detachably providing an external memory unit to which data are written and from which data are read, the external memory unit being capable of storing data even when it is not provided on the data processing device, provided are discriminating means for discriminating whether the external memory unit is provided on the data processing device, judging means for judging whether predetermined kind of data are stored in the external memory unit in case that it is discriminated that the external memory unit is provided on the data processing device, and another judging means for judging at least whether the predetermined kind of data stored in the external memory unit are operable in case that it is judged by the judging means that the predetermined kind of data are stored in the external memory unit.

Abstract: A printer that prints characters or graphics on tape by means of a thermal print head, having a cutting means that cuts the tape at predetermined positions, and control means which act to eliminate printing defects such as gaps, or spaces, between printed dot strings. Gaps between printed dot strings, caused by a tape cutting operation that pulls the tape past the print head, is eliminated by the control means which reverses the tape feed mechanism in order to slacken the tape just prior to cutting. After cutting, the control means forwards the tape by an amount less than or equal to the amount reversed and printing is resumed. Printer also provides means for entry of lead margin length, total tape length, character spacing and character string to be printed by means of a keyboard. Rear margin length is computed by the printer.

Abstract: A font storage management and control arrangement which allows the addition of fonts to font storage and includes a font filter which provides a multilevel control of font information stored, to allow optimum use of limited font storage facilities. As font information is stored to font storage in printer controller, the font characteristics are examined for comparison with a predetermined list of font storage requirements. Font information is stored in accordance with user determination of whether particular font information is useful for the user.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, even if print position data and its associated printing data are inputted at random in a memory, the print position data are rearranged in a predetermined order in which to move a printing heat at a minimum distance during the printing of the data in the specified position. Specifically, the print position data are rearranged so that the printing head is moved from the top of a printing paper toward the bottom thereof. If a plurality of position data are specified which are printed on the same line, the printing head is moved from the left to the right of the line.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing admission tickets that feature electromagnetically stored and detectable information and also visual information that contains, at least partly, identification data of the holder of the admission ticket, wherein the electromagnetically detectable information and the visual information is provided on separate carriers and wherein the separate carriers are placed in an, at least, partly transparent completely sealed sleeve. Admission tickets (14") are produced by a central processing unit (1), a video camera (2) linked with the central processing unit, and a dispenser (3) linked with the central processing unit. The dispenser has a printer for printing an image, recorded by the video camera (2), on a suitable carrier (17), which image has been converted by the central processing unit (1) into electric control signals. A magazine (4) holes a number of electromagnetically programmable responders (14), and a programming device is controlled by the processing unit (1).

Abstract: A label printer comprises a frame memory for storing a printing pattern for a label to be printed, and a printer unit for printing a label in accordance with the printing pattern stored in the frame memory. The label printer further comprises a control unit for partitioning the frame memory in accordance with a designated size of the label, thereby providing at least one print buffer, for producing a printing pattern for one label in the printing bufer, and for supplying the printing pattern stored in the print buffer to the printer unit, wherein the control unit includes a modifying section, and, when a plurality of print buffers are provided in the frame memory, the modifying section transfers the printing pattern produced in one of the print buffers into a remaining print buffer and modifies the printing pattern stored in the remaining print buffer to produce another printing pattern.

Abstract: A serial printer includes: a carrier mounted with a printing head; a display means movable with the carrier; a stationary panel having indicating windows arranged so that the display means is recognizable through the specific indicating window when the carrier comes to a predetermined position; a carrying means for carrying the carrier; a printing mode storage means for storing printing modes; an operating switch for selecting the printing modes; and a printing mode setting means for permitting the carrying means to move the carrier and changing the printing mode of the printing mode storage means according to the position of the carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing system in which a text created on one of a plurality of word processors is printed on a single print means. Each of the word processors comprises input means for entering display and printing process signals including a text signal and a print request signal for a text to be printed, first transmitter/receiver means connected to the controller for transmitting and receiving information to/from the controller, means for creating text data based on the entered text signal, first memory means for storing the created text data and a predetermined print process program specific to the word processor, display means for displaying the created text data in accordance with the entered display process signal, and means for sending information which includes the created text data and the print process program to the controller by way of the first transmitter/receiver means in response to an information request signal from the controller.

Abstract: A printer used as an output unit for a personal computer or the like is characterized by having a memory unit including a first memory area for storing input data and a second memory area for storing image data obtained by developing the input data, the first memory area and the second memory area being arranged within one and the same memory space to form the memory unit, and by having an area control unit for changing a proportion of the capacity of the second memory area within the memory unit to alter the relative proportions of the first memory area and the second memory area in the memory space forming the memory unit. A print unit included in the printer fetches the image data from the second memory area and performs printing in accordance with the fetched image data.

Abstract: A document output apparatus is disclosed which comprises a register for registering a handwritten character as a font; a digitizer for inputting to the apparatus information on a row of characters to be output; a CPU for changing as needed a predetermined pitch between characters and a predetermined pitch between lines which are output parameters; and a reader for reading from the register a font corresponding to the information on a row of characters that the digitizer has input. The CPU outputs the font read by the reader on the basis of the changed output parameters.

Abstract: A data card for a printer includes a plurality of data areas. Data readable by a sensor can be written in the data areas to control specifications or functions of a serial printer. A standard mark is printed on the data card to provide a reference position. The serial printer includes the data card, a card receiver into which the data card is detachably inserted, a sensor for reading data written in the data card, and a carriage having a printing head thereon. Either the card receiver or the sensor is mounted to the carriage. The other component is fixedly arranged within the serial printer. The serial printer further includes a memory for storing the data, and a controller for controlling a printing mechanism according to the data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A tape printing device for printing characters on an elongated tape-like print medium and for cutting the print medium at a desired leading and trailing cutoff end positions. The device includes a tape feed mechanism for feeding an elongated tape-like print medium, printing means for printing the tape-like print medium, and tape cutting means positioned downstream of the printing means with respect to a tape feeding direction for cutting the tape-like print medium. The tape cutting means provides a predetermined tape cutoff execution position at which the tape-like print medium is subjected to cutting.