Abstract: A host system for controlling a print head of an image printing device having at least one print head. The system includes the steps of obtaining profile information of the at least one print head, storing the profile parameters in a non-volatile memory, and outputting, upon request, the profile information to a host computer connected to the image printing device, wherein the host computer utilizes the print head profile information to produce compensation parameters which compensate print information to be sent from the host computer to the print head for printing.

Abstract: A cartridge receptacle is mounted on a carriage for releasably receiving a cartridge having a print head and at least one removable ink reservoir. The receptacle includes a pivoting lever which permits removal of the at least one ink reservoir. The lever extends over at least a portion of the at least one ink reservoir so as to prevent access to the at least one ink reservoir until such time as the lever is pivoted away from the at least one ink reservoir. When the lever is pivoted away from the at least one ink reservoir, and then the lever is pivoted over the at least a portion of the at least one ink reservoir, a signal is output which prompts cleaning of the print head.

Abstract: A printing method is provided for use with a printer which reads and then outputs to a printer head a fixed number of bits at a time so as to permit the printer to use a printer head having a number of nozzles which is different than the fixed number of bits. According to this technique, bit data corresponding to an image band to be printed is obtained, the band including multiple pixel arrays, the pixels in each pixel array being arranged in a manner similar to the nozzles in a printer head. In a first loading step, bit data for m pixels of an i-th pixel array are loaded into a register in the printer head, m being a predetermined integer, and i being an arbitrary integer. In a second loading step, bit data for n pixels of an (i+1)-th pixel array are loaded into the register in the printer head, n being a predetermined integer.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus having a spell checker function for detecting a misspelling of an input word, and informing the operator of the detected misspelling, includes the presence control unit for detecting a dictionary memory used in detection of the misspelling of the word, and enabling/disabling the spell checker function in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: A dot matrix printing apparatus which designates an area of a memory as a print buffer and which outputs print data from the print buffer to a printer head having print elements for printing the print data. The dot matrix printing apparatus includes a memory, an area of which is designatable as a print buffer, and a processor which (1) executes an application program to generate the print data, (2) determines size data for the print data, the size data comprising a number of columns of print data and an amount of print data per each column, the amount of print data per each column being derived from a number of operable print elements on the printer head, (3) designates an area of the memory as a print buffer based on the size data, the print buffer being defined by address data, and (4) stores the print data in the print buffer.

Abstract: A method for representing characters constructing texts in a dot pattern and modifying the dot density to transmission. The method is realized by transmitting texts according to steps of storing characters constructing a text in a character code, developing the character code to an outputting dot pattern, converting a dot density of the dot pattern correspondingly to a resolution for transmission, and transmitting information according to the dot pattern having the dot density converted as above. The method is then effected by a text transmitting apparatus comprising an input unit for inputting characters, a memory for storing a text consisting of the inputted characters in a character code, a developing unit for developing the character code to an outputting dot pattern, a converter for converting a dot density of the dot pattern, and a transmission controller for controlling transmission of the converted dot pattern.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is capable of recording an image on a recording medium and of erasing an image recorded on the recording medium. The apparatus has a recording device such as a print hammer and a drive motor therefor; an erasure tape for erasing the image recorded on the recording medium by the recording device; a shift mechanism for shifting the erasure tape upwardly or downwardly; a circuit for causing the erasure tape to execute a plurality of image erasing operations; a recognition device for recognizing an erasure condition such as the kind of erasure ribbon, the kind of character and the size of a character; and a control circuit for controlling the shift mechanism so that the amount of shift of the erasure tape varies in accordance with the erasure conditions recognized by the recognition device. It is accordingly possible to improve the image erasure function of the apparatus.

Abstract: There is an output apparatus which prints and outputs onto an ink ribbon in an electronic typewriter or the like. This output apparatus comprises: an output head to output a desired character through an ink ribbon; a cassette in which the ink ribbon is enclosed; a guide device to move the ink ribbon pulled out of the cassette in the direction having an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical direction; and a control unit to control the ink ribbon feed mechanism so as to stop the advance of the ink ribbon such that the length of ink ribbon pulled out of the cassette is made almost constant before and after the movement of the ink ribbon by the guide device. One motor is commonly used for print paper feed, ribbon feed, and ribbon lift up/down operations. The type wheel having a plurality of type elements is bilaterally rotated and its rotation amount is properly controlled to detect the home position of the wheel.

Abstract: A character processing apparatus such as an electronic typewriter which can erase the recorded characters on a word unit basis.

Abstract: There is disclosed an output apparatus which prints and outputs onto an ink ribbon in an electronic typewriter or the like. One motor is commonly used for print paper feed, ribbon feed, and ribbon lift up/down operations. The ribbon feed mechanism is controlled by the heteromorphic or noncircular rotary cam having grooves of different kinds of radii. The ink ribbon feed operation and the correction ribbon feed and lift up/down operations are also performed by the rotary cam. With this apparatus, the ink and correction ribbons can be efficiently used and the operation timing of the carriage can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: A timer apparatus which can simultaneously process a plurality of timer service requests of a plurality of control units by a single timer. This timer apparatus includes a timer for counting a clock pulse, a circuit for setting different times having a constant period from different termials and an output circuit for outputting a signal to the terminal at which the time was set from the corresponding terminal when the time coincides with a time signal output from the timer.