Abstract: A printing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a medium on which the control method is stored, enable selection of a resume operation to be performed when the printing apparatus resumes operation following an off-line state. The resume operation to be performed after an off-line state is determined by a command received from a host device according to the cause for the off-line state. The resume operation thus determined is performed when the printing apparatus goes on-line again following the off-line state. A marker indicating a particular location in a continuous data stream can be set. If the marker is placed at the beginning of a particular data stream, printing can be resumed from the beginning of the data stream after recovery from an off-line state. By also storing various printer definitions (settings) when a marker is set, the printing apparatus can also be restored to the printer definitions in use when the printer went off-line.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for printing a document from a computer workstation to a multifunction peripheral. Upon receiving a print command, the computer workstation determines whether the multifunction peripheral prints pages in a face-up or a face-down configuration. If the multifunction peripheral prints pages in a face-down configuration, the workstation invokes a printer driver to send the pages of the document to a print controller in reverse order. The print controller processes an initial portion of the document and sends the initial portion to the multifunction peripheral for printing. The multifunction peripheral prints the initial processing portion of the document while the controller processes the remainder of the document.

Abstract: A compact disc transporter has been described that includes a two-step printer. The printer uses an intermediate transfer sheet to receive a print image that is subsequently transferred to a compact disc. The transporter allows parallel processing of image data and content data. A significant time reduction can be achieved by preprinting the image to a transfer sheet prior to transferring the image to a CD.

Abstract: The object is to print continuously in the specified order by one operation a series of print jobs printed in any timing by a plurality of host computers for the same printer even if a usual print job is spooled together in a print server. In a method for solving the problem, a print server identifies ordered print jobs for which print order is to be specified and non-ordered print jobs out of a plurality of print jobs transmitted in any timing from a client, the print order for each print job identified as such is rearranged and aligned in specified order, and the output order for each print job aligned for a printer based on the state of alignment.

Abstract: Print control method and apparatus in which when a character and an overlay overlap or when there is a character in an overlay which is spooled on the foreground, it is possible to prevent a periphery of the character from being displayed as a blank image are provided. For this purpose, when the overlay is spooled on the background, a draw command of each print page of the overlay is spooled earlier than a draw command of each print page of a print document. When there is a character draw command in the draw command of the print document and the setting of the character draw command is set to a mode to paint the periphery of the character white, the setting is changed to a mode in which the periphery of the character is not painted white and the character draw command is spooled as a draw command of each print page.

Abstract: A system for automatically reproducing an image on a large surface, such as the external wall of a building or a billboard. The system includes a computer, a translator program, a controller card and image reproduction machinery. The computer is programmed with the translating program which converts a downloaded image file into a data file capable of being used by the controller card. The controller card is used to control drivers which control various motors on the image reproduction machinery. The image production machinery comprises a guide rail, a carriage, and a medium head assembly. The guide rail is suspended adjacent to the surface to be painted. During operation, the guide rail moves along one axis of the surface and the carriage moves longitudinally over the guide rail. The medium head assembly contains a plurality of airbrushes which are equally spaced apart with their tips aimed at a single point on the wall thereby producing a single pixel of various colors and shades.

Abstract: It is an object to allow an advertising effect to be efficiently exercised by certainly printing an advertisement. For this purpose, according to the invention, print data of the user and advertisement data are synthesized so that an image based on the print data of the user is printed into a user print area on a recording material and an image based on the advertisement data is printed into an advertisement print area in the recording material, thereby forming image data. On the basis of the formed image data, the image based on the print data of the user is formed into the user print area in the recording material and the image based on the advertisement data is formed into the advertisement print area in the recording material.

Abstract: A sheet having at least one self-adhesive special purpose label arrangement set having a postage indicia label, and preferably a sender label and also preferably an addressee label, and a process for printing these special purpose label arrangement sets. The postage indicia label printed by the process is sized and shaped so that it can be applied to a variety of mail pieces, including mail pieces that have FIM patterns, and the printed postage indicia label can be applied to an upper right hand corner of a mail piece without encroaching on the FIM pattern. The invention also provides a process for printing the self-adhesive special purpose label arrangement set with postage indicia, sender information, and addressee information.

Abstract: An electronic paper printer is provided that is capable of describing display patterns properly and definitely on rewritable electronic paper. An electronic paper printer 1 has a describing head 3 for describing display patterns on electronic paper 2 capable of having display patterns rewritten thereto and erased therefrom, using electrophoresis, an erasing head 4 for erasing display patterns described on the electronic paper 2, a drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the describing head 3 and the erasing head 4 so that they turn, and a conveyor mechanism (not shown) for conveying the electronic paper 2. The describing head 3 is configured by a pair of drums 31 and 32 supported so that they freely turn. The erasing head 4 is configured by a pair of drums 41 and 42 supported so that they freely turn.

Abstract: According to the present printing apparatus, in case that print processing of a preceding job to a particular job has not ended yet when a control section is to start input processing of that particular job, the control section waits until the print processing of the preceding job ends and sets a print-inhibiting time for inhibiting parallel print processing to handle interruption processing in a period between an end of the print processing of the preceding job and a start of the input processing of that particular job. Then, the control section waits until the print-inhibiting time ends and starts the input processing of that particular job, and then starts print processing of that particular job.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention is specifically configured to allow a printer's or a user's account to accumulate a credit balance and for all or a portion of this balance to be presented to the corresponding user or users as a collection of “points”. If the printer account has a credit balance, then the corresponding points may be redeemed by the user or users for particular products or services. Users thereby learn to associate fee-earning activities in relation to the printer, such as the printing of advertising and online purchasing, with the accumulation of points, thus maximising the likelihood that a particular printer will not become a cost burden to its provider.

Abstract: An Internet print device font distribution method and web site. Font users are visitors to a web site that allows browsing and obtaining of fonts, either individually or in groups. Preferably, purchases are made through the web site, but the method may allow installation of fonts through the web site as a result of other authorizations, e.g., an electronic coupon for visitors or a tie-in to other products, services, and web sites. Web site functions include operating system compatibility matching. The web site obtains configuration information to insure compatibility of a font to a visitor's configuration. Software on the web site downloads, installs and configures fonts on the visitor's print device.

Abstract: A system and method for printing directly on a mat board. A computer-readable medium includes a digital image having a size scaled to a size of the mat board. For example, the size can correspond to a border region of the mat board between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is open or configured to be open to allow visual access to a selected item placed behind the mat board. The digital image is transmitted to a computer printer coupled to the computer-readable medium, and the digital image is printed directly on the mat board with the computer printer while the mat board is engaged with the computer printer. The mat board can include a mat board body having a forward-facing surface with an at least partially non-porous print receiving medium configured to receive ink from an ink jet printer, and a generally non-porous medium at a rearward-facing surface configured to at least restrict moisture from passing into the mat board body through the rearward-facing surface.

Abstract: A broadcast printing system includes a first data communication network including a client device and one or more local imaging devices. A remote imaging device is coupled to the first data communication network through a second data communication network. In response to a single print request generated by an application process hosted on the client device, a print job is transmitted to the local imaging device according to a local print protocol and a print job is transmitted to the remote imaging device according to a protocol suitable for transmitting print jobs in a public data communication network such as the Internet Printing Protocol.

Abstract: A sheet or roll having at least one self-adhesive special purpose label arrangement set having a postage indicia label and optionally a sender label, and process for printing the special purpose label set or printing the postage indicia directly on upper right hand corner of a business courtesy envelope. The postage indicia label and the indicia printed thereon or directly onto the business courtesy envelope is sized and shaped so that the postage indicia will not impinge on the FIM pattern or the automated postage handling markings on the business courtesy envelope.

Abstract: When printing materials are supplied from a printhead, which is used to supply a plurality of types of printing materials having the same color and different densities on the basis of CD and printing OD value values obtained from image data, onto each pixel to print an image including a plurality of pixels expressed by combinations of the plurality of types of printing materials on a printing medium, a table storing pieces of ink information #1 to #8 representing combinations of inks in correspondence with pieces of address information A1 to A16 representing the positions of a plurality of pixels for the respective CD values ranging from 0 to 4096 with respect to the respective CD and OD values is looked up, combination information of inks to be used to print a target pixel is acquired on the basis of the CD and OD values and address information A1 to A16 of the target pixel, and the target pixel is printed by supplying inks from a printhead onto the target pixel on the basis of the combination inform

Abstract: A method for imposing and rendering image data. The method formatting the image data for a surface of a media sheet in an output device space and including receiving one or more page description files defining one or more objects to be located on the surface of the media sheet, receiving a job ticket defining a layout of the objects on the surface in a sheet-defined space. Prior to ripping, the layout of the objects is transformed into output device space including rotation or translation of the objects. The objects are ripped creating raster data that is oriented in output device space. The raster data is blitted in blocks without shifting the raster data.

Abstract: A portable printer is provided having a printer mechanism capable of printing on media and an RFID encoder for encoding information onto RFID circuits coupled to the media. The printer mechanism and RFID encoder are contained in the housing of the printer with a programmed controller for controlling the printer mechanism and RFID encoder. The printer mechanism includes a print head and motor for driving a platen roller to advance the media across the print head and passed the antenna of the RFID encoder. The media may be stored in a compartment in the housing on a roll or fan-fold in which multiple RFID circuits are provided along the length of the media. The programmed controller in the housing operates, responsive to communication received from a host terminal or computer, to send information to the print head to print information on the media and/or information to the encoder to encode the RFID circuit.

Abstract: A printing system for printing application data instructed to be printed from an application at a printer, which comprises first intermediate data preparation means for preparing first intermediate data from the application data, second intermediate data preparation means for preparing second intermediate data having the same data format as the first intermediate data from the first intermediate data, and print data preparation means for preparing print data that can be processed at the printer from the second intermediate data.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mailing-ready printed products, that consist of at least one sheet printed on at least one side and mailed in a closed state, printing data, originating from a client, are transmitted through a network to a printing facility. The transmitted printing data are printed onto the at least one sheet. A mailing-ready printed product is produced from the at least one printed sheet. The envelope for the mailing-ready printed product is produced from at least one printed sheet folded so as to form an envelope without producing waste portions.

Abstract: An ink jet printer for making photographic prints includes at least one paper supply for holding a supply of print paper and a sheet paper transport belt arranged to receive sheets of print paper from the at least one paper supply and transport the sheets through the printer. A back printer is located between the paper supply and the paper transport belt for applying back prints to the print paper. A full print width color ink jet print head is located over a first portion of the transport belt for printing an image on a paper sheet. A paper support located under the ink jet print head is provided with ink overspill collection grooves to collect overspilled ink from the ink jet print head.

Abstract: A method and system for printing medical labels. A hand-held, portable computer, a printer and a wireless data communication interface communicating between the computer and the printer are provided. Medical data are organized in the computer into predetermined type files and are preferably further organized into sub-files for presentation on a display associated with the computer. A user selects from among the files through use of the computer, preferably by touching the display. The computer communicates ultimately selected data to the printer and the printer prints the data on a label which is applied to a medical document.

Abstract: A system is provided for RF communication between a host terminal or computer system (“host”) and a portable printer through RF signal transmissions. The host has a RF communication interface and is programmed to send and receive data via the interface to a portable printer. The portable printer has a printing mechanism for printing on media and a RF communication interface to send and receive data from a host. The printer is programmed to link with a host and then operate responsive to data received in RF signals from a host linked to the printer. Each portable printer has a unique serial number which is recorded in a barcode present on the housing of the printer and/or in an RFID tag coupled to the printer. The host has either, or both, an optical scanner or an RFID transmitter/receiver to read the printer's barcode or RF signals from the tag to obtain the printer's serial number.

Abstract: When a single print job is divided into a plurality of distributed jobs and the distributed jobs are printed using a plurality of printers, whether any of the plurality of printers is abnormal is detected. If at least one of the printers is abnormal, at least part of the distributed job that was to be printed by the abnormal printer is assigned to another printer by control that facilitates the collection and sorting of the printouts produced by the printers.

Abstract: In order to reduce the number of signal lines of the cable between the controller and the carriage and to allow the print timing of each head to be adjusted in increments smaller than one pixel, the signal lines include a line for carrying serial print data to be supplied to a plurality of print heads in a predetermined order, a line for carrying a clock signal corresponding to individual bits of the data, lines for carrying signal HDSEL[1 . . . 0] indicating which print head corresponds to which print data included in the serial print data, and lines for driving the heads. When data is transferred over this cable, one slice section is divided into a plurality of sections, the slice section corresponding to a time slot required to transfer a unit of print data corresponding to a plurality of dot printing elements of the plurality of heads, each divided section is further divided into a number of subsections the number of which is equal to the number of the print heads.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for storing total operation counters for individual consumable and nonconsumable parts of a printing apparatus. A nonvolatile storage retains stored count information even when power is not supplied to the printing apparatus. An operations counter counts a value indicative of a printing apparatus operation. A counter storage stores a historical counter indicative of the printing apparatus operation history to the nonvolatile storage means based on a value counted by the operations counter, and stores a total printing apparatus operations count to the storage means. Specific printer operations, such as the number of characters printed, distance of recording medium transportation, and the number of times the automatic paper cutter is operated, can thus be individually accumulated, and the historical counts, that is, the cumulative counts since the printer was first used, can be stored to memory.

Abstract: In a printer system comprising a plurality of printers, a printer in an output-impossible state can specify and confirm a backup printer. Each of the printers comprises display means, data storage means, printer information obtaining means, backup printer determining means, and data transfer means. One of the printers in output-impossible state stores output data in the data storage means and displays an error-state display in a status display unit thereof. The printer obtains information of the other printers via the printer information obtaining means. The backup printer determining means of the printer determines a backup printer based on a predetermined condition and displays which is the backup printer on the backup printer display unit thereof. At the same time, the printer reads the output data from the data storage means and transfers the data to the backup printer via the data transfer means.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a shape recognition section for obtaining three-dimensional shape data about a surface shape of a three-dimensional object by measurement or the like; an ejection section for ejecting ink toward the three-dimensional object; a scanning section for causing the ejection section to scan relative to the three-dimensional object; and a control section for controlling an operation of the ejection section and/or the scanning section in accordance with information about inclination of the surface of the three-dimensional object, the information being indicated in the data obtained by the shape recognition section. The printing apparatus performs printing in accordance with the information obtained by measurement on the surface inclination of the object to achieve a high-quality printing process.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device for a method of printing images with a handheld printing device. The handheld printing device includes a navigation sensor, a controller to correlate image information and navigational information and a printhead to print the image on a printable object or media. The method of printing with a handheld printing device includes moving the handheld printing device in a series of continuous motions in which the handheld printing device determines its position and prints the portion of the image appropriate for its current position. The handheld printing device can be combined with a handheld scanning device to enable a user to scan and print with a handheld device.

Abstract: A method for reducing cyclic print errors. Applicants discovered that the cause of certain cyclic print errors was inconsistent (i.e., unequal) line spacing on the linear encoder strip used by the printer to track the position of the print head. Such inconsistent line spacing was caused by the inability of the device which makes/prints linear encoder strips to consistently match the ideal consistent line spacing desired and expected by the printer. Applicants found that such cyclic print errors were eliminated by choosing, obtaining, and installing a linear encoder strip having a consistent line spacing within the resolution capabilities of the device and, in one example, closest to the ideal consistent line spacing.

Abstract: A printing system includes an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus in which character image data transferred from the information processing apparatus is registered in the printing apparatus and the printing apparatus prints the same character by using the registered character image data. The information processing apparatus includes a compression unit for compressing the character image data to be transferred to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a registration unit for registering the compressed character image data and a decompression unit for decompressing the compressed character image data.

Abstract: A method apparatus for printing a customer image order containing at least one image captured underwater. A digital record of a customer image order containing at least one image captured underwater is obtained. The image captured underwater is determined and the digital record of the underwater captured image is modified in a predetermined manner. The determination of the existence of an image captured underwater may be provided by analyzing the image record or obtained by reading information received from the customer image order. Thereafter modified image may be printed and/or displayed.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for decorating an article, printing ink or electrostatic charges is or are applied in dependence on a digital program in dot form to the article carried by a holder, with individual dots going together to at least form a partial pattern or image. In the case of the latent pattern formed by electrostatic charges, it is then brought into contact with ink particles to form the decoration. In both cases the article is transported along a transportation path through at least one print station provided with an inkjet print head or an ionographic print head, the print head being controllable in dependence on the digital program. The individual nozzles or the electrodes of the respective print head are actuated in accordance with the digital program which is called up for example in dependence on the transportation movement of the article.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mailing-ready printed products, that consist of at least one sheet printed on at least one side and mailed in a closed state, printing data, originating from a client, are transmitted through a network to a printing facility. The transmitted printing data are printed onto the at least one sheet. A mailing-ready printed product is produced from the at least one printed sheet. The envelope for the mailing-ready printed product is produced from at least one printed sheet folded so as to form an envelope without producing waste portions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus,-in which an ink sheet is superimposed onto an image receiving sheet and subjected to imagewise exposure to light to allow an image in the ink sheet to transfer to the image receiving sheet to form an image is disclosed, comprising a drum, an exposure device, a detecting device for detecting quality information of the ink sheet and/or image receiving sheet, a memory device for memorizing an exposure condition corresponding the quality information, and a control device for controlling the exposure device and/or the drum.

Abstract: The invention provides a tape printing apparatus and control method therefor. One of a blank image without any image to be printed, and a ground image providing at least one of a ground color of the tape and a background pattern is selectively set. A leading end-cutting operation for cutting the tape at a leading edge of the print image ting is carried out. The print image is printed by a main printing operation. A trailing end-cutting operation for cutting the tape at a trailing edge of the print image is carried out.

Abstract: The printing apparatus comprises: an image display part for displaying an image to be printed on a display screen; a screen switching part being capable of switching the display screen of the image display part to any one of a plurality of editing screens for editing the image to be printed; a storage part for storing a printed information of the image to be printed, the printed information being based on an edited content set by each of the editing screens; and a printed information display part for displaying the printed information, which is stored in the storage part, on the display screen by hierarchical printed information screens.

Abstract: A printing system for printing application data instructed to be printed from an application at a printer, which comprises first intermediate data preparation means for preparing first intermediate data from the application data, second intermediate data preparation means for preparing second intermediate data having the same data format as the first intermediate data from the first intermediate data, and print data preparation means for preparing print data that can be processed at the printer from the second intermediate data.

Abstract: To reduce the period of time required after a remote printer is instructed to start a print job and before it starts printing and hence reduce the period of time for which the remote printer is occupied, thereby enhancing working efficiency, it is determined whether originals are located on an original table or on a sheet feeder, and if the originals are located on the original table, it is determined whether the job is in an original table accumulation mode in which a local apparatus completes reading images from a plurality of originals before transmitting the images. If the job is not in the original table accumulation mode, the remote apparatus is instructed to start the job before images are read from the originals. On the other hand, if the job is in the original table accumulation mode, the remote apparatus is instructed to start the job after the images have been read from all the originals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a printer having a device for printing a data carrier. It is proposed providing the data carrier with at least one transponder chip and equipping the printer with a device for driving the transponder chip. This makes it possible to print the data carrier simultaneously or sequentially and to write data into, or read data out of, the transponder chip.

Abstract: A system for the sale of printed information from an automatic vending machine, information being transmitted from a central source via a network interface to one or more vending machines, each provided with an information processing unit which separates the information data into a display portion and a print portion, a display device, a high-speed printer for local printing of the desired publication, a replaceable paper magazine, a folding/cutting unit having built-in stapling, a covered drawer into which the publication is dispensed, a unit for registering and receiving payment in the form of a coin slot or card reader, and a set of push buttons by means of which the customer can make a choice.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer having a print head and a media support platform that is displaced relative to the print head, the media support platform having a rigid support surface for a media item having a non-rectangular configuration such as a compact disk, the support platform having a mask with a cutout substantially in the shape of the non-rectangular disk, the mask and media item combining to form a contact surface for the print head to uniformly distribute a constant force of the print head in a uniform pressure across the mask and media item during printing, the mask providing, in addition, a holding apparatus for the media item which is contacted by a displaceable retainer pin urging the media item against the edge of the mask with the print head avoiding contact with the retainer pins on the printing area, the printer having a mechanism to displace the retainer pin and sense whether a media item is properly placed in the cutout and retained by the retaining apparatus.

Abstract: A video controller generates a video signal from image data on the basis of a print instruction, and an engine controller controls a laser scanner in accordance with the generated video signal to record an image on recording paper by an image forming section. A master controller of an optional master unit performs overall control of a variety of optional units, such as a paper-deck optional unit and a sorter optional unit, in dependence upon a control instruction sent from the video controller. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus to which a wide variety of optional units can be connected freely without raising the cost of the main body of the apparatus.

Abstract: A printing system comprising a data processor, a printer, and an ID code transmitter for allotting an ID code to a data file for distinguishing the data file from others. An input device is mounted on the printer for providing the ID code to the printer before a printing process is executed. The printer executes the printing process in response to the ID code provided thereto and on the basis of the data file to which the ID code has been allotted. The invention is particularly adapted for preventing the user of the data processor from obtaining a printout on the basis of another user's data file by mistake.

Abstract: There is provided a label-making apparatus and method that is capable of making a label with an accurate length depending on a situation before and after printing. The label-making apparatus is capable of printing an entered character string on a tape as a printing medium while advancing the tape. After printing the character string on the tape, the label-making apparatus cuts the tape to a length set beforehand at a predetermined cutting position, thereby making a label. In response to a non-printing feed instruction which instructs non-printing feed of the tape, feed of the tape is carried out without printing thereon to advance the tape by a predetermined length.

Abstract: The present invention features a Point of Sale (POS) printer that includes an encoding module that magnetizes and reads the account and bank information from existing magnetic characters on a check. The encoding module prints the characters in the AMOUNT field of the check, according to ANSI1, ISO2, or other standards. The characters are printed with an ink having magnetic particles embedded therein. The POS printer magnetizes and reads these characters after they are printed, in order to verify that the correct amount has been encoded onto the check. The encoding module can include a magnet to magnetize the characters; a read head to read and analyze the signal waveform from each character; and a print mechanism with the capability of using magnetic ink for printing the characters. The method of the invention directs the POS printer to follow a certain sequence of actions in order to accomplish the printing and verification at the point of sale.

Abstract: Print data is stored into a spool device and a predetermined number of copies are printed. A size (ADsize) of print data is compared with a memory capacity (SDsize) of the spool device. When the size of print data exceeds a capacity of the spool device, the print data is divided into a plurality of print jobs on a page unit basis so that the print data lies within the memory capacity. The number of copies is designated for each of the divided print jobs, the print jobs are sequentially stored into the spool device, and the designated number of copies of each print job are printed, respectively.

Abstract: In a tape printing apparatus, a tape width of a tape is detected, and a reduced tape width is calculated by reducing the detected tape width at a predetermined reduction ratio. At the same time, a character string is also reduced at the predetermined reduction ratio, whereby a reduced character string is produced. Then, a pair of parallel lines indicative of the reduced tape width and the reduced character string are printed on the tape in a manner such that a positional relationship between the pair of parallel lines and the reduced character string agrees with a positional relationship between the tape and the character string in normal print.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printer having a plurality of print engines and a print engine controller includes the steps of: (a) coupling each of the print engines to a corresponding print engine communication device; (b) coupling together the print engine communication devices and the print engine controller in a daisy chain configuration with a serial data link, the data-output port of the printer controller being directly coupled by the serial data link to a first one of the print engine communication devices and the data-input port of the printer controller being directly coupled by the serial data link to a last one of the print engine communication devices; (c) embedding commands and data in a data stream by the printer controller and transmitting the data stream on the serial data link to the first print engine communication device by the printer controller; (d) relaying the data stream from the first print engine communication device back to the serial data link by the first print engine controller; (e

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus for printing on a continuous tape. When a portion of a continuous tape having passed a thermal head is cut at a predetermined cutting position, a stepping motor is caused to stop driving the platen roller for rotation to stop feeding of the tape, and then the tape is cut off. During tape-cutting operation, the stepping motor is held in an energized state. When the printing operation is resumed after stopping the feeding and printing of the tape, the thermal head is caused to print on a portion of the tape printed by an immediately preceding printing operation by the thermal head, in an overlapping manner, by the use of identical printing data or printing data for a next line of dots.