Abstract: Tools and techniques are described to automate line testing when wiring devices (such as equipment and sensors) to controllers. Controllers have access to databases of the devices that are controlled by them, including wiring diagrams and protocols, such that the controller can automatically check that each wire responds correctly to stimulus from the controller. After testing, a reporting device rapidly shows the results of the line testing.

Abstract: A printing device is provided with a print die storage rack, a pickup head, a print head, and a printing surface. The print die storage rack is adapted to hold a multitude of print dies. The pickup head is provided to move one or more print dies to and from the storage rack and the print head. The print head is adapted to hold one or more print dies and move them between the pickup head and the printing surface. The printing surface is provided to hold and secure print media. The device is capable of any form of printing, embossing, debossing, foil stamping and the like. A method of printing is also provided.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: A method is for input of text symbols into an electronic device having a reduced keyboard. The reduced keyboard has keys representing a plurality of characters. The method includes receiving character inputs from the reduced keyboard and identifying symbol variants based on the received character inputs. A list of symbol variants is displayed. An input symbol from the list of symbol variants is selected, wherein the input symbol is a Korean Hangul syllable. At least one Chinese Hanzi syllable is designated, to correspond to at least one Korean Hangul syllable. The Korean Hangul syllable is replaced with a Chinese Hanzi syllable.

Abstract: A stamping device includes two stamp rollers and a support member having the two stamp rollers mounted thereon and arranged on a circumference having a center at a center of pivotal movement. The stamp rollers are spaced apart by a predetermined angle about the center, a rotary actuator for pivotally moving the support member so that one of the stamp rollers in a stamping position and the other stamp rollers in a standby position are alternately shiftable to the other position, and drive means for rotating the stamp roller in the stamping position.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to facilitate the replacement of printing types and to eliminate mistakes in the replacement thereof. A printing type wheel 2 and a stock wheel 3 are coaxially arranged. The printing type wheel 2 is provided with an attachment part for inserting and attaching a printing type unit 5 for printing on an object F to be printed. The printing type unit 5 is detachably stocked in the stock wheel 3. The printing type unit 5 is taken out from the stock wheel 3 with a robot 6 so as to be attached on the printing type wheel 2. Ink is deposited to the printing type unit 5 attached on the printing type wheel 2 with an ink roller 45. The printing type wheel 5, the stock wheel 3 and the ink roller 45 are warmed with the heater 30 and the heater 46.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing apparatus has an improved ink sheet interchanging device. A fusion type or sublimation type thermal transfer printing using a combination of many kinds of ink sheets can be carried out by a single printing apparatus. A desired ink sheet cassette or ink sheet is selected by a carrier from a plurality of ink sheet cassettes each having an ink sheet, and moved in the recording paper transfer direction to a printing portion. A plurality of ink sheet cassettes are arranged at the up-stream side and down-stream side of the cassette transferring direction with respect to the printing portion or stacked at either one of the up-stream side and the down-stream side of the cassette transferring direction. Each of the ink sheet cassettes includes a supply core and a take-up core of the ink sheet arranged horizontally or vertically, and each of the take-up cores is transferred from the ink sheet cassette over the printing portion and returned to the ink sheet cassette after the printing.

Abstract: By the driving of drive means for the vertically moving member of a type wheel in one way and resiliently holding means for the type wheel, the type wheel is moved upwardly to a position suitable for printing with the vertically moving member of the type wheel by pivotal movement, whereafter the resilient holding of the type wheel by the resiliently holding means is released by the driving of the drive means in the other way, whereby only the vertically moving member of the type wheel is contained in a type wheel containing housing, and by the driving of the drive means in one way after the termination of printing, the type wheel is resiliently held on the vertically moving member of the type wheel by the resiliently holding means, whereafter by the driving of the drive means in the other way, the type wheel, with the vertically moving member of the type wheel, is contained in the type wheel containing housing.

Abstract: A printer of the automatically interchangeable character wheel type includes a platen formed lengthwise of the printer to support one surface of a printing sheet, and a carriage guided so as to be reciprocally movable along the platen. The carriage carries thereon contain a housing for containing a character wheel therein, a first shift device for shifting the character wheel in the containing housing to a printing position, a printing hammer for impacting the characters of the character wheel in the printing position, and a second shift device for shifting an ink ribbon to a first position for printing and a second position for standby by the same motor that drives the first shaft device.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has a first carrier carrying a first recording head thereon and movable, a second carrier carrying a second recording head thereon and movable, a first recording mode in which the first carrier is moved to thereby effect recording, and a second recording mode in which the first carrier and the second carrier are both moved to thereby effect recording.

Abstract: A printer of the automatic type wheel exchanging type comprises a long platen to support a print sheet and a carriage guided so as to be reciprocated along the platen. This carriage includes: a wheel motor for detachably coupling the daisy type wheel having types in the peripheral portions of a number of radially projected spokes and for rotating this wheel; a print hammer for pressing the type of the type wheel coupled with the drive shaft of the wheel motor onto the print sheet; an enclosing box which can enclose a plurality of such type wheels; and a type wheel exchanging device for exchanging the type wheel coupled with the wheel motor for another type wheel in the enclosing box, and for coupling this wheel with the wheel motor. The enclosing box is movable in the direction almost perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage so as to select a desired one of the type wheels in the enclosing box. The type wheel at the detachable position and the type wheels in the enclosing box overlap each other.

Abstract: A printing wheel discriminating apparatus comprises a driving device for driving a printing wheel in units of predetermined angles, a detecting device for detecting identification data attached to a specific position of the printing wheel, and a storing device for storing presence/absence data of the identification data corresponding to the specific position of the printing wheel based on the output from the detecting device, thereby discriminating the type of printing wheel.

Abstract: A printing apparatus system includes a plurality of type units each having a plurality of type elements and each being different from the others. Each type unit may be mounted in the apparatus. A detector detects which of the type units is so mounted and produces a detection signal representative thereof. The printing pressure with which each type element is imprinted on a print medium is determined in accordance with the particular type wheel mounted in the apparatus as indicated by the detection signal. Additionally, the amount of advance of an ink ribbon for imprinting a type element on a type unit is determined in accordance with the particular type unit mounted in the apparatus, again as indicated by the detection signal.

Abstract: An alterable storage unit is included in a control apparatus to store code conversion tables for transforming type data or type position data into various control data such as a hammer pressure, an amount of ribbon feed and an amount of proportional space. When a type element is replaced with another, code conversion tables concerned with the new type element are stored in the storage unit. This permits the code conversion tables to be altered or renewed concentratedly in the event of type element replacement.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for selecting characters to be recorded includes a substrate carrying an array of characters arranged on one face thereof. A character selection device moves between advanced and retracted positions along each of two axes of the array and, by means of an optical viewfinder, registers a given character with respect to the position of the selecting device. Registration openings distributed along each of the two axes cooperate with an associated detent carried by the selecting device so as to retain the selecting device in a fixed position relative to the locus of the character which has been selected. Movement of the character selection device to the locus of a given character serves to control the recording of the character selected.

Abstract: An image data output apparatus such as a laser beam printer or the like includes an input interface, a CPU, an output interface, a detachable ROM cartridge as a character pattern generator and the like. After the initializing operation, the input interface supplies a font select command of a font to be selected to the CPU. The CPU determines whether or not attributes designated by the font select command coincide with those of fonts of the apparatus stored in respective font registers. When no coincidence is established, the CPU selects a font having attributes near those designated by the font select command. If a font having the designated attributes does not exist in the character pattern generator, the apparatus can select and generate a font having the attributes near those of the font to be selected.

Abstract: An alterable storage unit is included in a control apparatus to store code conversion tables for transforming type data or type position data into various control data such as a hammer pressure, an amount of ribbon feed and an amount of proportional space. When a type element is replaced with another, code conversion tables concerned with the new type element are stored in the storage unit. This permits the code conversion tables to be altered or renewed concentratedly in the event of type element replacement.

Abstract: An impact printing system which is particularly suitable for word processing is provided with the capability of effecting mid-line pitch changes. The impact printer system which is particularly compatible with interactive display terminals in word processing system has means for receiving a selected one of a plurality of type or character font elements. The pitch of character font elements are different from each other. The printing system includes means for selectively impacting selected characters from selected fonts along lines in a document. The system further includes control apparatus for controlling and determining the selection of font elements to be used and in the case of printing with a particular font element, the characters to be printed in respective positions along the lines of the document to provide the desired document format. The control apparatus includes apparatus for controlling the printing with at least two different font elements having different pitch along a single line.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus which is loaded with a transfer member including a color agent and transfers the color agent to a sheet in accordance with a pattern, thereby forming an image on the sheet, a housing has a transferring function. The housing includes a ribbon cassette holding section for setting the transfer member therein. The printing apparatus is provided with a detection mechanism for detecting the type of the transfer member to be set therein and for delivering a detection signal.

Abstract: A keyboard input device for printers, composing apparatus, or clear text display devices which employ type fonts that can be changed at will, has a group of multiple indicia bearing keys which can be positioned to bring a different set of indicia to a readable position to indicate to the operator the character make-up of the type font being used. Both manual and electrical mechanisms are provided to effect indicia positioning. Mechanism is also provided to interconnect indicia selection with either manual or automatic type font selection and changing. Each key operates an electrical switch which is connected to a diode matrix to provide coded output to the device under control.

Abstract: A text processing device, for example a typewriter, comprising a first guide for text receiving sheet material, a carrier slidable along a second guide for a disc being rotatable about an axis and having flexible, radial symbol arms and a hammer mechanism mounted fixedly on the carrier opposite the first guide touching each symbol arm, wherein the disc has a central orifice for receiving a pin journalled in the carrier and being displaceable with the aid of a mechanism from a retracted position to a projecting operational position and conversely, in which projecting position the pin snaps into said orifice, whereas the disc is equipped with a registering member disposed near said central orifice and co-operating with a driving element setting the angular position of the disc, said driving element being journalled coaxially with the pin in the carrier.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic equipment comprising character input means capable of inputting a plurality of characters; a first read-only memory for storing information of the characters of said character input means; first print means capable of printing a first set of characters on a print paper in response to an output signal from said first read-only memory; a second read-only memory for storing information of a second set of characters not included in said first set of characters; and selection means for selecting said second read-only memory when second print means capable of printing at least said second set of characters is used in place of said first print means.

Abstract: In an abbreviated typing system, in which a data processor (20) transfers abbreviations typed on the keyboard (10) into longer, full words, display of words in exceptional forms is efficiently achieved. Such special forms include initial capitalized, all capitalized, initial italics, all italics and combinations of these. The sequence for capitalization is typical. When the first letter only of the abbreviation is capitalized, decision (260) (FIG. 9) of the processor (20) results in action (264), by which only the first character of the full word is capitalized. When more than one letter is capitalized, decision (260) results in action (262) by which all characters of the full word are capitalized. Underlining is effected by underlining all characters when the first letter of the abbreviation is underlined and all of the characters plus the space following the word when more than one letter of the abbreviation is underlined.

Abstract: An impact printing apparatus automatically discriminates the kind of a type element mounted on a reciprocating carriage of the printer and interchangeable with another type element. A print control program is selected in conformity to the specific kind of type element while desired printing is carried out according to the selected program. Each of the interchangeable type elements is provided with a mark or marks or coded data to be detected by a sensor which is located in a predetermined position on a stationary part of the printer. The mark or coded data is sensed while the type element is rotated or while the carriage carrying the type element is moved. A single mark in the form of a slit is formed in a rotary hub of the type element, and the sensor for detecting the mark comprises a light emitting element mounted on the carriage and a light receiving element mounted on the stationary part of the printer which corresponds to the light emitting element.

Abstract: A serial printer of the type having a carriage carrying a type head and adapted to be column-shifted by a cooperation between a rack and a screw member. The printer comprises a rotary shaft adapted to be driven by a suitable power source, a first and second screw members splined to the rotary shaft, a first and second carriages carrying the first and second screw members, the first and second carriages having home positions defined at both ends of the column-shift, spiral screws formed on the first and second screw members and orientated in the opposite directions, and a rack member having short racks formed on both ends thereof and an intermediate long rack, the long rack being engageable selectively with the first and second screw members by a selection of rotational positions of the two short racks.

Abstract: A bi-directional pen changer for use in an X-Y plotter is disclosed which requires only a single axis of motion for pen snatch, pen re-insertion, and plotting. The device is made up of two pen stables, one on each side of a pen carriage, for holding pens when not in use, and a pen holder located between the two pen stables which holds a pen during plotting. The pen holder is mounted on the pen carriage and is a symmetric device configured to snatch and re-insert a pen from either side. The snatch and re-insertion of pens by the pen holder is accomplished by co-acting clamp arms on the pen holder and on each pen stable. The pen holder clamp arms are configured such that the pen tip is always at the same location relative to the clamp arms when the pen holder is holding a pen, regardless of the side from which the pen is snatched.

Abstract: A printer having a mechanism for easy loading of a type wheel rotatably supported by a type wheel cartridge. The type wheel cartridge can be inserted into or withdrawn from a cartridge holder by moving the type wheel cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the type wheel supported by the type wheel cartridge. Coupling of a shaft of a type selection motor to the type wheel within the type wheel cartridge can be effected by relatively moving the cartridge holder and the type selection motor axially of the type wheel.

Abstract: A printing device such as a typewriter and the like, comprising a printing unit with a positioning manipulator, an impacting unit, and a supporting surface. The printing unit is provided with a cassette in which a plurality of card-like printing elements are located. Each printing element has a plurality of vertical rows of printing characters and a plurality of horizontal rows of printing characters. A vertically mechanically reciprocated manipulator latches on to a selected printing element and raises it to bring the horizontal row containing a selected character to the height of the printing station. The selected printing body is moved laterally in its plane to bring the selected printing character into line with the printing station. Moving or positioning of the printing elements is achieved by means of linear-step electric motors.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, increasing the number of characters available to be printed with a single print element. If a printer is printing from storage and the character being presented to the printer does not match the print element in use, a determination is made as to whether the character is in fact available on the element. If so, the character is caused to be printed. If not, a determination is made as to whether the presented character can be constructed from characters existing on the print element. If so, construction is caused to occur to avoid a print element change. If, however, the presented character does not exist on the print element and cannot be constructed from characters that do exist on the print element, a requirement for a print element change is signalled. Following a change, printing will continue with the new print element as long as characters are available, or can be constructed from available characters.

Abstract: A printer subsystem receives command and data information from a host system and retains a large number of font images in an associated storage area within the printer subsystem. A base font image set is ordinarily selected by the user but provision is made to dynamically change the font images as may be required in a real time fashion during actual printing operations. The font images are stored in a compressed form in the storage area. Routines involve use of pointer tables and data tables. It is possible to select an entire set of new font images in place of the base set of images or to modify only selected character images within the base font image set.

Abstract: A printer having a mechanism for easy loading of a type wheel rotatably supported by a type wheel cartridge. The type wheel cartridge can be inserted into or withdrawn from a cartridge holder by moving the type wheel cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the type wheel supported by the type wheel cartridge. Coupling of a shaft of a type selection motor to the type wheel within the type wheel cartridge can be effected by relatively moving the cartridge holder and the type selection motor axially of the type wheel.

Abstract: An under-the-cover automatic font changing apparatus for a daisy wheel printer which utilizes a print element housed in a cartridge during printing. The apparatus is adapted to exchange print elements in the cartridge. Included in the apparatus are an elongated and vertically oriented rack, a plurality of print element holding means located along the rack, drive means for vertically elevating and lowering the rack in a single plane, and means for causing a selection motor drive hub included in the printer to be translated toward and away from the print element for a print element change. During printing, the drive hub is for rotating the print element housed in the cartridge. Cooperating with the apparatus is a carrier positionable along and above the rack and carrying the cartridge. The cartridge has spring means included therein for cooperating with the drive hub upon insertion of one of the holding means into the cartridge.

Abstract: An automatic typefont loader is sequenced to change the printwheel typefont of a printer. An elongated rack supports plural picker holders along its length and is normally located beneath the platen of the printer. Typefonts to be exchanged are held by the picker holders. During an exchanging sequence, the typefont carrier which is positioned along the platen to effect printing at discrete printing positions is positioned to a discrete printing position adjacent an empty picker holder for a typefont unloading operation. The elongated rack is then elevated so that the empty picker holder contacts the typefont. The typefont is removed from its carrier by moving the typefont carrier perpendicular to its normal motion. The picker holder rack is then withdrawn and the now empty typefont carrier is positioned to a second discrete printing position adjacent a selected typefont located on a picker holder.

Abstract: A type element interchange mechanism is incorporated into a high speed serial printer with rotary print wheel and linear carriage movement. A number of print wheels are selectively mountable onto a carriage, which carries a print wheel, print hammer, and print hammer solenoid, from one or more removable carousels, each carousel typically carrying several different type font print wheels. Print wheels are transferred directly between the carriage and a carousel, without the necessity of intermediate transfer mechanisms or steps, through the controlled linear translation of the carriage and the carousel. The print wheel-carrying carousel has a plurality of arms and is rotated to present the desired arm in position for transfer of a print wheel with the carriage. Microprocessor controls are provided so that print wheel changes are implemented automatically in response to input signals defining the desired font type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus associated with word processing equipment for producing a preliminary printout of accessible lines of intermixed text characters and code characters representative of the format of such text. The apparatus includes logic controlled gates for selectively gating text codes, instruction codes, and reference line number codes to a print control coupled to, and controlling the printing by, a printer. Specific networks enable the printing of "font change" instructions and identifications and characteristic identifier symbols indicative of the presence of an instruction code. Audit print codes representing material ones of the instruction codes are substituted for the usual printer functional response to those instruction codes, that is, a code representation of the instruction code is printed instead of the printer executing the instruction.

Abstract: A daisy wheel printer which accommodates different print wheel fonts has switchable ROMs each containing print position and instruction information for each character on an associated print wheel. The possible number of printing positions is substantially double the number of characters carried on a print wheel.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is an automated version of an attachment for a ball element type typewriter intended to permit rapid automatic or semi-automatic switching among a plurality of ball elements. While the invention has utility in any instance where the need arises for switching rapidly and frequently among a number of ball elements, it is particularly useful in systems as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,217 for utilization of a standard typewriter to type Chinese or Japanese.

Abstract: A system for handling multiple printer font requirements during playout of a plurality of sequentially stored text columns in a side-by-side format. A line from one column is printed on a print line, the carrier is caused to escape, and any corresponding line from a succeeding column is printed on the same line. Printing and escapement continue until all corresponding lines from each column are printed on the same print line prior to causing a printer carrier return. During playout within a column, or from column to column, printer font requirements stored with the text are used to determine subsequent system events. If one of the columns, or a portion thereof, is to be printed in a different type style or language, the system will signal a need for a font change, stop the playout and await an indication that a font change has been made.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for mounting a daisy type character array within the air gap of a variable reluctance rotary stepping motor used to drive the daisy. The assembly comprises a guide means which accurately positions the daisy within the air gap. The daisy is supported in the air gap by means of a retractable support means. The invention further comprises a means for latching the support means within the air gap after the daisy has been mounted in order to provide rigidity to the daisy.