Abstract: The character printing apparatus according to the present invention, in which an input character string is printed on a print medium, includes: eligible-subject-component-character displaying means for displaying an eligible subject component character; subject-component-character selecting means for selecting a desired subject component character out of the eligible subject component characters; display control means for storing the desired subject component character, and causing a display portion to display a control symbol representing that the desired subject component character is inputted and an input position for an object component character in such a manner that the input position for an object component character is located immediately after the control symbol; judging means for judging, when a character to be combined with the subject component character is inputted, whether or not the input character is a character allowed to be combined with the subject component character; composing means for p

Abstract: The invention provide a method for optimal use of print resource during the preparation a print job for printing. During the creation of a spool file, or similar intermediate file, the invention logs data on print resource usage in a print job in an accounting file. Upon review of this data, it modifies the print resource usage data in the accounting file as necessary to optimize print resource usage. The spool file and the accounting file are then sent to a printer driver. The printer driver knows how to use the print resource data in the accounting file to optimize the print resource usage.

Abstract: A label printing device comprises a housing having a printer and a scanner disposed therein. The housing further includes a window permitting light to transmit therethrough to an optical sensing element of the scanner. The optical sensing element generates image data representative of a previously printed label brought into proximity with the window. A central processor controls the functions of the printer and the scanner. The central processor receives the image data generated by the optical sensing element and commands operation of the printer to print a label corresponding to the previously printed label.

Abstract: A method for printing an IBIP indicium in an IBIP open metering system includes the steps of obtaining a bit mapped image of a fixed graphic portion of the indicium and drawing a bit mapped image of a variable portion of the indicium using indicium data elements. Then it is determined whether the indicium is to be printed of displayed. If displayed, a bit mapped image of a representative bar code is generated; and a message that indicates the barcode is not valid for printing is applied to the bit mapped image of the representative bar code. The bit mapped image of the indicium can safely be displayed. Whenever an IBIP indicium is being displayed, the whole indicium is shown on the screen with a message, such as "NOT VALID FOR MAILING" superimposed over the PDF bar code area.

Abstract: A method of processing page description data for printing on a printing device having a print engine for printing on an output media. The method includes receiving page description data comprising objects to be placed on the output media where each object has a position on the output media. An area to be printed on the output media is divided into a first and subsequent bands. The objects are interpreted one object at a time to produce display list data. When all objects that intersect the first band have been interpreted, display list data for the first band is rendered without regard to whether objects or portions of objects in subsequent bands have been interpreted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a character information processor having a function by which the user can obtain a character to be inputted by inputting a code corresponding to the character.The character information processor of the present invention includes: code input means through which the code is inputted; and a plurality of code-character conversion tables which are associated with different code systems and each of which contains relationships between codes and their corresponding characters under the code system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters in a preferable balance on a tape through a simple operation. The tape printing device of the invention is used for printing text data in a plurality of lines along a width of the tape and in a plurality of `paragraphs` along a predetermined length of the tape. The `paragraph` in the tape printing device is different from a paragraph in a word processor and includes a fixed number of lines. Even when text data in a certain line of a paragraph is deleted, the certain line is kept in the paragraph as a vacant line. In another application, the tape printing device of the invention includes a predetermined menu for printing text data in a plurality of lines. The plurality of lines are arranged in a good balance when the user selects one of possible choices for each required information in the predetermined menu.

Abstract: In an image processing device, when image data is expanded to width K corresponding to one-third of width L of a band buffer 26, the band buffer in which the width K image data is expanded is divided into square blocks each having side length K. When expansion of the image data in the square blocks into which the band buffer is divided is complete, the resultant image data is compressed for each square block. Thus, occurrence of generation can be prevented and the image data can be compressed efficiently. The locations of a final output image to which the compressed data corresponds are managed with a compressed page buffer management table, etc., so that the final output image can be restored based on the managed location information and image quality degradation can be avoided.

Abstract: A document printer is provided comprising a printer housing, a user interface and an internal printer controller positioned within the printer housing. The internal printer controller is programmed to designate a document format according to a format command entered at the user interface. A data stream input port is in communication with the internal printer controller and is operative to receive a data stream. A document construction module is in communication with the internal printer controller. The document construction module enables the internal printer controller to (i) extract predetermined data fields from the data stream according to the designated document format and (ii) convert the extracted data fields to document data. A document data printing mechanism is responsive to the internal printer controller and is operative to print the document data in the designated document format.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label printer that has a plurality of keys for defining a label to be printed. Such keys include keys for defining the format of the label. The label printer also includes a display for displaying an image of the label, a printing unit for printing the label and a control unit for controlling the label printer to operate in a layout mode. In the layout mode, the control unit causes the display to display an image of the label in a selected label format and a plurality of layout parameters for defining the label format. Each of the layout parameters is alterable. Thereby, the label image displayed on the display alters with each selection of one of the layout parameters by actuating the format keys.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a character information processor which can operate either in an ordinary state in which ordinary operations are performed or in a demonstration state in which demonstrating operations, including demonstration display and demonstration printing, are performed. The character information processor according to the present invention includes: a first operation state switch for switching the ordinary state to the demonstration state when receiving operation signals of a first number during the ordinary state; and a second operation state swtich for switching the demonstration state to the ordinary state when receiving operation signals of a second number during the demonstration state, the second number being smaller than the first number.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label printing apparatus for printing image data onto a tape. The label printing apparatus has a memory for storing image data to be printed onto the tape, a print head for recording the image data dot wise onto the tape in subsequent printing cycles, a platen for conveying the recording medium relative to the print head and means for determining the number of dots to be activated in each printing cycle. In order to obtain high print quality, a speed adjuster is provided to control the speed of the platen in response to the number of image data stored in the memory and the number of dots to be activated in the present printing cycle. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling the platen and the print head to avoid misalignment of subsequent printing lines, when the platen must stop due to lack of data in the memory.

Abstract: A background pattern print image-forming method and device are provided. A plurality of kinds of unit background pattern image data formed of a dot matrix which defines a group of image-forming dots representative of a unit printing portion of a background pattern to be printed on a printing object are stored in a memory device. One kind of unit background pattern image data from the plurality of kinds of unit background pattern image data stored in the memory device is selected as a unit background pattern tile. The selected unit background pattern tile is read from the memory device, and modified to thereby form a different kind of unit background pattern image data from the selected one kind of unit background pattern image data. The different kind of unit background pattern image data is arranged in a manner such that the background pattern is formed, to thereby form background pattern print image data.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia. A diagnostic test procedure reads a printed test document and determines whether the MICR indicia are within a certain specification. A test document found to be out of specification prompts the adjustment of the print parameters of the printing system of the transaction printer. The machine establishes and maintains a data base of each print transaction, and compares the printing parameters to determine the degree to which each parameter complies with the specification.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of analyzers for analyzing externally input different printer languages, a bit map development memory shared by the plurality of analyzers, and a converting unit for converting the input printer language into a common printer language to cause the development memory to perform bit map development. An information processing apparatus includes the converting unit and an output interface for outputting the common printer language to the image processing apparatus having the bit map development memory.

Abstract: A printer for printing by a print head having a plurality of recording elements arranged, includes a scan unit for scanning the print head in a different direction from the direction of arrangement of the recording elements, a memory for storing print data, a write unit for writing the print data into the memory, and a read unit for reading the print data written in the memory in synchronism with the scan of the print head by the scan means for supplying the print data to the print head. The memory has continuous addresses relative to the arrangement of the print data corresponding to the direction of arrangement of the recording elements.

Abstract: A printer receives image information from a host computer and performs printing based on the image information. When an optional unit is newly attached to the printer, the printer changes the device ID which is selected from an ID ROM in accordance with the optional unit. Then output from an interface circuit is changed so that the host computer detects the change of the output from the interface circuit. The host computer makes a device-ID request to the printer to obtain the device ID corresponding to the optional device. Then the host computer determines whether or not a printer driver which is currently operative corresponds to the printer with the newly-attached optional device.

Abstract: A method for processing single line data and multiple line data generated at a POS station for driving a printer thereof into common structure data, e.g.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and printing method for separating, image processing, and printing image objects on CD labels according to whether the image objects require multiple or two density levels.

Abstract: A print control apparatus for causing a printer unit to print data input from an information processing apparatus includes an analysis unit and a control unit. The analysis unit analyzes test data on the basis of print setting information. The control unit stores the analysis result obtained by the analysis unit in a memory. A print control method, a storage medium, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method are also disclosed.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide print control apparatus and method such that at the time of a document processing in a non-recording mode, a recording medium is not left on a feed path. To accomplish the above object, only for a period of time during which a print menu is displayed on a display, when the recording medium is detected on a sheet sensor on the feed port side, a feed motor is rotated, thereby feeding the recording medium to a predetermined position. At a time point when the print menu is finished, when the recording medium is detected on the sheet sensor on the feed port side, the recording medium is delivered and the print menu is finished after that.

Abstract: A postage metering apparatus including a postage meter having a housing, a printing device disposed in the housing, an aperture in the housing exposing the printing device, a shutter bar mounted to the postage meter housing for movement from a closed position in which the shutter bar is disposed to cover the aperture and an open position in which the shutter bar is disposed away from the aperture, the shutter bar preventing access to the printing device through the aperture when the shutter bar is in the closed position and permitting access to the printing device when the shutter bar is in the open position; a base into which the postage meter is removeably inserted, the base including engaging structure for engaging the shutter bar; and driving structure for driving the engaging structure to move the cover between the closed and open positions, the driving structure including a motor, a drive shaft coupled to and driven into rotation by the motor and having a worm gear at one end thereof, a first pinion gea

Abstract: The present invention relates to a character printing apparatus in which an input character string is printed on a plurality of print mediums loaded in the apparatus and having a transversal dimension, on which limitation is imposed, and different longitudinal dimensions.

Abstract: A printer buffer unit is connectable to one or a plurality of host computers and one or a plurality of printers. The printer buffer unit has a unit for detecting a break of print job data sent from a host computer, and a unit for adding a job offset command at the time of the break in sending the print job data to a printer.

Abstract: A point of sale printer includes a magnetic reader for processing transactions and payment by check at a checkout point of a retail establishment. The printer includes a magnetic or MICR reader located at a predetermined point on the printer's document travel path and a print head located at the same point on the document travel path but laterally offset from the MICR reader to allow the printer to print customer receipts and a journal as well as reading MICR information from checks and endorsing the check after it is cleared. A pressure pad is used with the magnetic read head of the MICR reader which utilizes a pressure film which flexes when a document is inserted between the magnetic read head and the pressure film to provide a spring loading force on the magnetic read head while still allowing the document to be moved smoothly past the magnetic read head.

Abstract: A printer for printing an image onto a physical medium. The printer includes a print engine for physically printing the image onto the physical medium. The print engine receives signals representing the image to be printed directly from an external computer. The printer is coupleable to the external computer by a high-speed serial bus that enables the printer to print the images without prior interim storage of the signals in an on-board buffer in the printer. The signals may be processed by a processor in the external computer before being transmitted to the print engine, thereby eliminating a need for an on-board processor in the printer.

Abstract: A tape printing apparatus prints at least one line of a character string formed of characters on a tape. The at least one line of the character string is/are entered. At least one character size rank is/are designated respectively for the at least one line of the character string. The at least one character size rank designated are converted to at least one numerical value, respectively, to thereby determine at least one line-by-line relative character size corresponding respectively to the at least one character size rank. At least one line-by-line absolute character size corresponding respectively to the at least one line-by-line relative character size is/are determined based on a total absolute size corresponding to a tape width of the tape. At least one line of the character string on the tape is/are printed based on the line-by-line absolute character size.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for emulating font cartridges with virtual cartridges. Virtual cartridges may be loaded onto a data storage device, and desired virtual cartridges may be selected for use from those stored.

Abstract: In an electronic apparatus with a printer, there is disclosed a technique such that a printing is performed at a printing speed according to a key operation of the user and, when the user wants to rapidly see the printing result such as an arithmetic operation result or the like irrespective of the key operation, it can be printed at a high speed.

Abstract: An improved printing system having a host computer and a printer is provided in which the printer has a memory of sufficient size capable of temporarily storing multiple print jobs. The host computer can be utilized by a user or a Network Administrator to "view" the contents of a print queue within the printer, in which the queue holds one or more print jobs as these print jobs await printing. The host can inform the printer when a particular print job in the queue is to be deleted or undeleted. Deleted jobs are effectively removed from the queue and are not printed; however, such deleted jobs can be reinstated (or "undeleted") during the time interval between the delete command being received at the printer and when this job would have become the immediate subject for being interpreted, and the particular print job (which really never lost its place in the queue) returns to the queue and has its data sent to the interpreter when its turn to be dispatched occurs, and finally becomes printed.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a keyboard (4) that inputs character strings to be printed on each printed block that is defined in a label tape or a label tube and inputs control commands by which an output format of the character strings is controlled; a display portion (10) that displays the character strings and the control commands that have been input, a memory portion (8) that stores the character strings and the control commands that have been input; a thermal head (13) for printing the character strings stored in the memory portion on each block of the label tape or the label tube on the basis of the control commands stored in the memory portion; a memory (58) that registers printing data that is displayed on the display portion in correspondence with a specific key; and a CPU (7) that causes the printing data registered by the memory to be displayed following an end of the character strings displayed on the display portion and, at the same time, storing the printing data in the memory portion by operating t

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters in a preferable balance on a tape through a simple operation. The tape printing device of the invention is used for printing text data in a plurality of lines along a width of the tape and in a plurality of `paragraphs` along a predetermined length of the tape. The `paragraph` in the tape printing device is different from a paragraph in a word processor and includes a fixed number of lines. Even when text data in a certain line of a paragraph is deleted, the certain line is kept in the paragraph as a vacant line. In another application, the tape printing device of the invention includes a predetermined menu for printing text data in a plurality of lines. The plurality of lines are arranged in a good balance when the user selects one of possible choices for each required information in the predetermined menu.

Abstract: A tape printing device for printing frames with complicated shapes on a label. The device includes a mechanism for inputting a plurality of characters, selecting a frame from a plurality of frames of different shape, and generating print data for the characters and the selected frame. Also, a print head is used for printing the characters and the frames onto the tape according to the generated print data. Only a small amount of memory is required to represent frames, and the operator is offered a large selection of frames. Instead of storing dot patterns for each frame, each frame is represented with a program which can be executed on the tape printing device to generate the pixel pattern corresponding to the selected frame and to print the selected frame on the receiving medium according to the generated pixel pattern. Since the programs generate the pixel pattern dynamically as required by the operator of the device, less memory is required than prior art devices.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for conducting solid printing on a tape-shaped recording medium without leaving any unprinted portions on either the sides, leading or trailing ends thereof. A portion of the image-receiving surface of a tape-shaped recording medium of a pre-determined width which is narrower than the full width is used for the actual image-receiving surface, while the other continuous portions are used as dummy image-receiving surfaces. The solid printing action involves solid printing in such a manner that the printing overlaps the edge of the image-receiving surface onto the outer dummy image-receiving surfaces. After solid printing, the center image-receiving surface portion is cut loose from peeling paper, leaving the unnecessary dummy image-receiving surfaces. The image-receiving portion cut loose may be applied to a desired surface, as a piece of printed tape-shaped printing medium solidly printed without unprinted gaps at the edges.

Abstract: A print device including: a storage unit which stores image data for an image to be printed; a print unit which prints the image on a recording medium based on the image data stored in the storage unit; a print region setting unit which sets, with respect to the recording medium, a print region within which the image is to be printed; and a processing unit which processes the image data so that the image is printable within the print region by the print unit.

Abstract: A print data storing unit connected to a printing mechanism of a printer for storing print data and sending the data to the printing mechanism. The storing unit includes a buffer memory which has a data storing region A having a storage capacity capable of storing therein data of one line and a temporary data storing region B having a storage capacity half the storage capacity of the data storing region A. The data storing region A is divided into two storage sections, and each storage section is divided into right storage section A1, A3 and left storage section A2 and A4. Print data of a first line are stored in the data storing region A, and when printing is started based on the print data, storage of print data of the front half portion of a second line in the temporary data storing region B is started. When the half portion of the first line is printed, storage into the empty section A1 and A3 of print data of a remaining rear half portion of the second line is started.

Abstract: There is provided a tape printing apparatus for printing desired character string data on a tapelike printing object, in which a plurality of functions can be set with a single physical operation means.When a character size setting function key is operated (S14), the position of a cursor existing on a display screen is detected. The character size is set over the whole sentence (S24) if the cursor is positioned on the right side of a line head mark, set by paragraph (S23) if the cursor is positioned at the head of the first line of each paragraph, and set by line (S22) if the cursor is positioned on the right side of the head of a line of each paragraph. In other cases, the size of characters from the cursor on is set or the character size is set word by word (S20, 21).

Abstract: A tape printing apparatus with a blank setting function is provided which enables a blank of a desired length to be formed at a desired position when input text data is printed. Thus, an improvement is achieved in the degree of freedom available for controlling printing layout. The tape printing apparatus includes a printing device for printing input text data on a tape recording medium being fed, a blank position setting device for designating the position of a blank to be made when printing is performed by the printing device, a blank length designating device for designating the length of the blank, and a control device for controlling the printing device such that the text data is printed while making a blank with the length as designated by the blank length designating device at a position corresponding to the blank position designated by the blank position designating device.

Abstract: Memory fragmentation in a page printer is avoided by assessing the current extent of memory fragmentation and memory utilization before allocating memory for describing a portion of a next page to be printed. In one embodiment, the assessment includes a weighted average of a normalized standard deviation of current free memory block sizes (indicating fragmentation) and the current percent utilization of memory. A page printer in one embodiment has insufficient memory for bit for bit images of entire pages to be printed. However, a high page printing rate is nonetheless maintained by avoiding interruptions in interface communications and data processing that result when there is insufficient memory to support an allocation request for a contiguous block size. Memory allocation for a new page to be printed is deferred until an assessment of memory fragmentation and utilization is favorably compared to a limit.

Abstract: An improved printer is provided that improves the response time before jobs are printer by providing a "fast data path" for certain print jobs while also storing on a hard disk all incoming print job data. This "fast data path" is especially useful in situations where the incoming print job lacks an "end of file" code, which could otherwise hold up the processing of either this print job or later print jobs. Once the printer becomes relatively busy, and begins to accumulate a "queue" of print jobs waiting to be processed and printed, the printer will automatically store all of the print job data on the non-volatile memory (e.g., a hard disk) before that same data is sent to the processing circuitry.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises input keys for inputting information to be recorded, a protection device for protecting a recording head for discharging ink to record onto a recording medium in accordance with the input keys, and an execution controller for carrying out the protection of the recording head with the protection device by deciding whether a predetermined period has passed, after input by the input keys.

Abstract: Electronic equipment of the invention includes a keyboard for inputting character data, a memory for storing the character data input from the keyboard, a printer for printing the character data stored in the memory, and a display for displaying the memory contents. The memory consists of a buffer for temporarily storing the character data, a cursor pointer indicating a cursor position on the display, an end pointer indicating a position immediately succeeding the position of the last character input from the keyboard, and a head pointer indicating the printing head position of the printer. The keyboard includes a relocation key in addition to various character input keys. When the relocation key is depressed, the cursor is moved to a position indicated by the cursor pointer, and when depressed again, the cursor is moved to the position indicated by the end pointer, thus facilitating correction of input errors.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a comparator in which a travelling time relating to the printing state on a unit medium by a printer is compared with a preset time when a facsimile data receiver receives a facsimile reception request on a way where the printer is printing or preparing for printing data received by a computer data receiver so that the comparator outputs a reception mode change request; and a controller for shifting a reception mode into a facsimile data reception mode in accordance with the reception mode change request.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically modifying a print job ticket having a plurality of page tickets is provided. Each page ticket is programmed with one or more print job attributes and each print job attribute is associated with one or more print job characteristics. In practice, one or more values are assigned respectively to the one or print job characteristics. The print job attributes and print job characteristics are stored in memory as a set, and a portion of the set is scanned with a processor to determine each page ticket upon which a print job characteristic first value is located. A set of page tickets is selected from the page ticket(s) determined with the processor and, for at least a portion of the set of page tickets, one or more print job characteristic first values are changed to print job characteristic second values so that the need on the part of a printing system user to manually change print job characteristic first values to print job characteristic second values is minimized.

Abstract: In a method for generating a print format that is printed onto a carrier in a postage meter machine, the print format being composed of picture elements in the fashion of an xy-matrix to which picture element data are allocated in a memory, a microprocessor controlling the generation of the print format accesses a number of picture element datafiles. Picture element data that define an image element or a text element of the print format are combined in each picture element datafile. Each picture element datafile also has an identification code allocated to it under which the appertaining image element or text element can be found. The microprocessor also accesses a control datafile that contains a number of sub-image datafiles that respectively contain sub-image data that define a sub-image of the print format.

Abstract: A print control unit of a printing device is provided with a continuous/serial number print control unit which outputs character data of a plurality of blocks of a mixture of serial number print data blocks a and non-serial number print data blocks to a printer mechanism repetitively a predetermined number of times. When the continuous printing is set to print the same data on a plural number of pieces, the continuous printing is executed successively for the serial number printing data formed by the serial number processing and for the non-serial number printing data. Therefore, one time of printing processing makes it possible to obtain printed results in which are continuously printed the character blocks of a mixture of serial number character blocks and non-serial number character blocks on a plural number of pieces.

Abstract: Methods enabling the use of an office printer connected to a microcomputer in order to print legitimate postal marks. It uses a cartridge of special fonts in which there are stored the franking marks according to the standards laid down for the printer. A known security component is provided, on the one hand to protect access to the memory contained in the cartridge and, on the other hand, to perform the computation, for each printing of a franking mark, of a security mark that contains encrypted information elements that are readable by the postal authority, enabling the franking mark to be authenticated. It provides for the elimination of specific franking machines and limits the handling operations to the handling of a small-sized cartridge.

Abstract: To increase the efficiency of graphic data print process in a printer, graphic print data such as diagrams and images are compressed in a personal computer according to a special compression/coding format specific of the printer to be used so that the resultant compressed graphic print data can be developed into dot image data in the printer. The resultant compressed graphic print data is transmitted to the printer and is temporarily stored in reception data buffer of the printer. The compressed graphic print data stored in the reception data buffer is developed into dot image print data. Printing is performed on a print sheet by a printing mechanism according to the developed dot image print data.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved.The printer's control system includes a printer electronics board and one or more single-slot PC/AT (ISA bus) microcomputers that are plugged into respective slots of a mother board.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters in a preferable balance on a tape through a simple operation. The tape printing device of the invention is used for printing text data in a plurality of lines along a width of the tape and in a plurality of `paragraphs` along a predetermined length of the tape. The `paragraph` in the tape printing device is different from a paragraph in a word processor and includes a fixed number of lines. Even when text data in a certain line of a paragraph is deleted, the certain line is kept in the paragraph as a vacant line. In another application, the tape printing device of the invention includes a predetermined menu for printing text data in a plurality of lines. The plurality of lines are arranged in a good balance when the user selects one of possible choices for each required information in the predetermined menu.