A waveform generating apparatus for driving a liquid crystal device has a memory for storing waveform data for designating a drive waveform of the liquid crystal device and duration data for designating a duration for which the drive waveform designated by the waveform data is to be supplied, and for outputting the waveform data and the duration data in accordance with an input address designation signal. The apparatus also has a macro decoder for receiving the waveform data output from the memory and a clock signal having a predetermined period and a predetermined phase, and outputting a plurality of drive waveforms designated by the waveform data from corresponding output terminals, thereby generating predetermined waveforms.

An information kiosk is disclosed which provides interactive operation with an unfamiliar user. A video display provides instructions and solicited information to the user who enters choices on a keypad input device. The kiosk provides printed information which the user may carry away from the kiosk. Graphic as well as textual information is dispensed by the kiosk.

When a document is scanned, an identification code indicating that the document has been scanned is printed at a predetermined position on the document in correspondence to a stored count value. When the document has been completely scanned, the count value is increased by 1, and the increased count value is stored again. Then, when a scanning function is selected again and the document is scanned, the identification code is printed at another predetermined position of the document corresponding to the newly stored count value. Thus, the printed positions of the identification codes are set to be varied in correspondence to the count value.

A system controller 115 has a function of changing the position and the orientation of character data to be superimposed on the image data, in accordance with the operation of one of orientation keys. Specifically, when a downward key has been pushed, the character data is superimposed on a lower portion of the image data, not revolved and but oriented upward. When a rightward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved counterclockwise through 90 degrees, and is located along the right-hand edge of the image data, oriented leftward. When an upward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved through 180 degrees, and is located along the upper edge of the image data, oriented downward. Further, when a leftward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved clockwise through 90 degrees, and is located along the left-hand edge of the image data, oriented rightward. When synthesizing attendant information such as character data with image data and printing the resultant data, the position and the orientation of the attendant information can be efficiently set by a simple operation.

A digitally operated printer, particularly a laser printer, has a control system which controls supply of operational signals to the printer from a signal source. The control system incorporates a converter which converts groups of input signals into larger groups of operational signals. The operational signals are generated in correspondence with coded information carried by the input signals, e.g. by reference to a store of predetermined operational signals. The larger groups of signals are fed at a faster rate than the input signals, so that the effect is to enhance the grey tones produced by the printer.