Disclosed is a system and method for interleaved printing of letters and envelopes in an unattended manner. The system includes a memory for storing in a first portion thereof, text codes and control codes corresponding to the constant text of a form letter and envelope to be printed. As required, one or more blocks of variable data are written into the memory succeeding the form letter and envelope. The system is operative to output the contents of the memory to a printer while merging the variable data with the form letter and the envelope for a completed letter followed by the envelope. Logic is provided to utilize a selected field of a record of variable data exclusively in either the letter or envelope. The printing system is also operative to print more than one copy of the same letter before printing the envelope. All of the printing relative to the record is performed, however, before the next record is read so that distribution of the letter to all recipients can begin when the next record is read.
This patent discloses a dedicated printer control device having at least one input port through which text data is received and an output port means for connection to a printer. The printer control device includes means for designating characters as control codes by which beginning and end of data may be identified. Data so identified may be printed separately. The printer control device further includes a means for recognizing control codes and user operable selection means for selectively directing identified data, to the output port means for separate printing. The printer control device also includes a means for modifying the format of the identified data that is identified and separately printed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the printer control device includes a means for converting at least a part of the identified data into bar code form and transmitting the bar code form to the output port means. The output port means may have two or more output ports to which text data and identified data may be selectively transmitted.
A function is disclosed that permits the operator of a typewriter to properly position the return address, on arrival instructions, special mail instructions and the addressee name and address properly on predesignated standard sized envelopes by entering the function and loading the envelope in the typewriter. The function acts to position the print point at the first field and then to progress to the subsequent fields as desired by the operator keying a key such as the tab key to progress to the next field. The field locations are determined by the operator selection of the envelope size.
A document preparation program for use in connection with a word processing facility includes a succinct identification and listing of designated parts of a memorandum or document, each unique part having access to an associated file which contains the basic text and formatting controls for that particular part. The user of the program may readily assemble a document from the parts inventory displayed on a master screen by mere cursor reference or by keying the name of designated parts and have the newly created document displayed, or printed in most cases without reference to additional screens.
A system for use in an electronic digital signal processor for assembling multiple report definition instructions to create a shell document to generate a file report. The system enables an operator to depress an instruction key to call up an instruction menu and select for display the report definition instruction menu. The operator chooses report instructions desired in any order, and the system inserts chosen instructions in proper order to build the shell document. The operator keys report information in between the instructions. The shell document is stored in machine-dependent language to enable the document to be redisplayed in operator-dependent language as determined by the current program loaded in the processor.
A computer based system for generating text from a predetermined data base, in either prose or poetic form, in response to a plurality of input data provided by an operator in an interactive mode of operation with the computer. The preferred embodiment disclosed produces limerick style poetry in response to name, gender, geographic place of residence, primary and secondary traits and the number of syllables in certain input data items, and includes poetic material related to each of these data input items.
