Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a serial printer of the invention selects a first digit character by counting a predetermined number of timing pulses that starts to be generated during carriage return and sets the predetermined number so as to correspond to the character to be printed and the number of digits printed in a last line. The apparatus may include a time measuring device, and selects a first digit character to be printed in succession to a last line by measuring a predetermined carriage return time and sets the predetermined carriage return time so as to correspond to the character to be printed and the number of digits printed in the last line. The apparatus also may include a timing pulse interval detector, and a first digit character is selected after the selection of a character group by counting a predetermined number of timing pulses and the predetermined number is set so as to correspond to the character to be printed and the number of digits printed in the last line.

Abstract: A tape printing system for printing a desired image on a desired tape includes: a data inputting device for inputting data indicative of a desired image, the data inputting device including a displaying for displaying the desired image; and a tape printing device connected to the data inputting device with a connecting line for receiving the data transferred through the connecting line from the data inputting device and for printing the desired image on a desired tape based on the received data. The tape printing device is formed with an information transferring portion for transferring information on the tape to the data inputting device through the connecting line, the information on the tape being displayed on the display.

Abstract: A printer employs a print head having a wire column arranged at an angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree. relative to a permitted line of motion of the print head. This angled print head allows for both portrait and landscape printing. Portrait mode printing is performed by controlling movement of the angled print head along the permitted line of motion during printing of each line of images. Landscape mode printing is controlled by maintaining a stationary position of the print head while the print receivable medium is moved in a direction perpendicular to the permitted line of motion of the print head.

Abstract: In a thermal recording method of recording an image on a recording medium and a thermal recording apparatus using this thermal recording method, image data is divided into blocks in units of a plurality of bits to convert the blocks into recording head drive data, and a pulse width of a strobe signal corresponding to each bit of the converted drive data and a count of drive data arrays applied to a head are controlled to perform halftone image recording.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus has a first recording-sheet storing section for storing a first recording sheet, a second recording-sheet storing section for storing a second recording sheet, a serial recording head for effecting image recording on the first recording sheet while travelling with respect to the first recording sheet, a line recording head for effecting image recording on the second recording sheet when the second recording sheet is in a stationary state, a first conveying device for conveying the first recording sheet to the position of the serial recording head; and the second conveying device for conveying the second recording sheet to the position of the line recording head. With this arrangement, it is possible to selectively effect serial recording and line recording and, in addition, to effect recording from an original document as well as recording and reproduction of the thus-read original document.

Abstract: In a machine including structure for printing indicia on a sheet, and structure for feeding the sheet in a path of travel to the printing structure, wherein the feeding and printing structure each include a plurality of components, apparatus for accounting for malfunction conditions of the machine, the apparatus comprising, structure for controlling the machine, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including a random access memory (RAM) and a non-volatile memory (NVM) respectively connected to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for causing a plurality of desired movements of the respective components of the sheet feeding and printing structure and thus of a sheet in the path of travel, a plurality of sensors respectively connected to the microprocessor for sensing actual movements corresponding to the desired movements of the respective components of the sheet feeding and printing structure and of a sheet in the path of travel and providing signals to

Abstract: Optimization of printer throughput is achieved through the use of a printhead carriage control method and a corresponding apparatus which directs acceleration of the printhead carriage based on the length of a future printhead carriage swath. According to the improved method, print data is periodically previewed to determine the length of a future swath, and the carriage is accelerated to an optimal printing velocity which is selected based on the determined swath length. The printer prints at the selected printing velocity, and then decelerates the carriage to complete the pass. During deceleration, the medium is advanced to its next position, and the print data is again previewed in order to determine the swath length for use in selecting the optimal printing velocity for the next carriage pass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing apparatus in which at least two printing elements are arranged a predetermined distance apart in a line parallel to the print direction. When two dots to be printed are the same predetermined distance apart as the print elements, only one of those print elements is used to print those dots.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dot matrix printer capable of recording character strings with a high quality at high speeds. The dot matrix printer includes an output processor for obtaining the numbers of effective dots of character patterns in a character string with respect to a character string reference line designating a print position of font of the character string according to information of the font and information of the character string reference line, comparing the numbers of effective dots with the number of printable dots of the print head, determining whether or not another character string in addition to the character string is admitted within the width of the print head if a maximum value of the numbers of effective dots is smaller than the width of the print head, and setting a print position of at least one of the character strings admitted within the width of the print head.

Abstract: An inclined, flat, surfaced ramp to simplify and accelerate learning to juggle. One or more balls are rolled up and down the ramp rather than tossed freely in the air. Rolling makes the balls move more slowly and gives the user more control over their trajectory. The angle of the ramp is increased as the user's skill level improves, causing the balls to roll faster, until free-fall speed is achieved and the training aid is no longer needed. Inscribed or printed patterns on the Base Board [1] or Rolling Surface [2] show a recommended pattern for the ball's trajectory. Ramp may have Retaining Ledges [4] at top and/or bottom to keep balls from rolling off the ends of the board. Base Board may be fabricated in sections and optionally hinged in the middle to allow it to fold for easier carrying and storage.

Abstract: An impact printer which can detect halfway defects of printing coils such as partial short circuits is disclosed. The impact printer according to the present invention includes at least one printing coil for driving a printing element and driving transistor which controls the printing element by switching a current flowed through the printing coil, and further includes an inductance detection means for detecting whether or not said printing coil has an appropriate inductance.

Abstract: The wire motion detecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a velocity detecting portion for detecting the velocity of a printing wire, a comparator output signal generating portion for generating a first comparator output signal CMP and a second comparator output signal CMPR corresponding to the detected velocity, a first counter 101 for measuring a motion time T.sub.S for the printing wire, a second counter 102 for measuring a print time T.sub.P for the printing wire, and a third counter 103 for measuring a return time T.sub.R for the printing wire. When the signal level of the first comparator output signal CMP is repeatedly changed between a high level and a low level, the first counter 101 stops counting. Even if an armature is rebounded, the first counter 101 does not resume counting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the quality of images printed by dot printers or dot displays are disclosed. Image irregularities caused by quantization are smoothed by using a set of rules to transform an initial pattern into an enhanced pattern for printing. The initial pattern may consist of a matrix of bits representing an image having X dots per inch along an intended direction of printing. An intermediate pattern is formed by replicating columns of bits from the initial pattern. Image enhancement rules are applied to the intermediate pattern to invert one or more bits in the intermediate pattern to create an enhanced pattern. The enhanced pattern is printed at n*X dots per inch along the direction of printing where n.gtoreq.1.

Abstract: A thermal printer carries out printing operations to produce images in multiple colors in response to a printing program. In order to eliminate distortions and to insure registration of colors in the printed image, a printer controller eliminates backlash in the drive mechanism at the beginning of each printing operation.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus of controlling the movement of a printing head in a printer for printing characters along a print pass while selectively reversing the moving direction of the printing head, in which the character heights of a plurality of character series are checked, image data of a plurality of lines are read out, the image data being contained in a pass which can be printed within the height of the printing head, are printed at once. It is then checked whether or not the printed image data is continuous to the image data of the next pass, the same moving direction of the printing head is kept for printing the image of the next pass if it is continuous, and the moving direction of the printing head is reversed for printing the image of the next pass if it is not continuous. The method and the apparatus can print characters in excess of the height of the printing head with a high quality.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a print control method capable of increasing a printing speed by preventing the drop of the printing speed in line feed without increasing an economical burden.Disclosed is a print control method of carrying out printing by detecting a reference position signal SP for detecting an initial position of an endless ring-shaped type belt 13 having a multiplicity of types 15 and a type position signal CP of each of the types 15 as well as carrying out a type position count CC corresponding to each of the types 15, the method comprising the step of detecting the reference position signal SP each time the type belt 13 rotates once as well as detecting the reference position signal SP after the completion of printing of one line only if it is a final line to be printed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel power lifter for a paper deck of an offset printing press. A paper deck power lifter for an offset printing press comprising: (a) a reversible electric motor connected to a paper deck elevation crankshaft of an offset printing press; (b) an electrically activated solenoid connected to a paper deck catch release of an offset printing press; (c) a manually operated polarity reversing switch connected to the electric motor for determining the direction of electrical current to be delivered to the electrical motor, thereby selecting the direction of rotation of the electric motor; (d) a manually activated electrical variable speed switch electrically connected to the electric motor to enable manual control of the speed of rotation of the electric motor.

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: A tape printing apparatus for making printed labels includes a keyboard for entering a character string, a display screen for displaying the character string, a tape cassette printer mechanism for printing the character string on the tape, a tape width detector for detecting the tape width of the tape cassette mounted on the printer mechanism, a first display data generator which generates pattern image data used to define the effective display zone of display screen that is proportional to the detected tape width, and a second display data generator which generates image data of the entered character string based on stored font data so that a print image of the character string in correct proportion to the tape width is displayed in the display zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for automatic adjustment of character spacing suited to characters in innumerable combinations, such as in the case with Chinese characters and hiragana and katakana characters in the Japanese language. In character dot data of a plurality of characters which construct a character string developed in memory, character density data representing the broadness of the character face of a character, character face overlap area data representing degree of overlap between this character and a character adjacent thereto in a state in which the character and adjoining character are closest to each other, and blank-space area data representing the broadness of blank space produced between the two characters are generated for each and every character.