Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for forming an outline character by making a character, numeral, mark, or the like black at the periphery thereof and white at the inner portions thereof. When the original character data exists at at least one upper or lower end in a dot display space, the character data at the end is removed and shortened. The shortened character dot pattern is periphally expanded by at least one dot, and the expanded character is removed to form white space within the shortened character. In another aspect, the character dot pattern is periphally expanded by at least one dot. When the original character exists at at least one upper or lower end in the dot display space, the expanded character is removed to form white spaces within the original character dot pattern except for an upper or lower end in the dot display space. Thus, if the original character dot pattern exists at at least one upper or lower end, a character completely enclosed within a black periphery can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for forming an outline character by making a character, numeral, mark, or the like black at the periphery thereof and white at the inner portions thereof. When the original character data exists at at least one upper or lower end in a dot display space, the character data at the end is removed and shortened. The shortened character dot pattern is periphally expanded by at least one dot, and the expanded character is removed to form white space within the shortened character. In another aspect, the character dot pattern is periphally expanded by at least one dot. When the original character exists at at least one upper or lower end in the dot display space, the expanded character is removed to form white spaces within the original character dot pattern except for an upper or lower end in the dot display space. Thus, if the original character dot pattern exists at at least one upper or lower end, a character completely enclosed within a black periphery can be obtained.

Abstract: A controlling method and apparatus for a printer which effects image overlay printing are disclosed. The controlling apparatus comprises an image overlay data storage section, an image overlay data extraction starting position calculating section, and an image overlay controlling section. An extraction starting position of image overlay basic data stored in the image overlay data storage section is normally calculated by the image overlay data extraction starting position calculating section. Consequently, even if image overlay printing is effected over a plurality of print lines, image overlay patterns are not displaced from each other between each adjacent print lines, and a pattern continuous in the upward and downward directions can be obtained.