Print chain of 120 characters facilitates production of computer printout in both uppercase and lowercase characters. Although the output speed is reduced, the use of the print chain increases the computer printout readability

Hand, W. W.

Jonsberg, M. B.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

September 1965	 Brief 65-10286 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued by the Technology Utilization Division to summarize specific 
technical innovations derived from the space program. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia, 22151. 
Uppercase and Lowercase Computer Printout Increases Readability 
The problem: To produce a computer printout 
similar to typeset material. Normally, computer print-
ers produce only uppercase characters and the result is 
poor readability in some types of copy, such as re-
ports. 
The solution: A 120-character print chain that en-
ables printout in both uppercase and lowercase char-
acters using a standard continuous chain computer 
printer. 
How it's done: The 120-character print chain re-
places the standard 48-character chains that are widely 
used on medium-to-large scale computer printers. In 
normal operation, the 120-character print chain will 
select only lowercase characters, so that selection of 
uppercase characters only need be determined. This 
may be accomplished either by special data characters 
preceding those to be capitalized or by the position of 
the character in the line. 
One configuration with distinctive data codes for 
selection uses a delta () before single characters to 
key them to uppercase and a semicolon (;) before 
strings of characters to be uppercased. In use of the 
semicolon, the first blank space encountered shifts the 
printer back to lowercase. If it is desired to capitalize
the first (or any other) characters in each line, such as 
in tabular compilations, control of the printer can be 
set to shift automatically. 
Notes: 
I. Output speed using the 120-character chain is re-
duced by a factor of 2.5. 
2. This machine modification should be of interest to 
organizations desiring more readable machine-
compiled reports. 
3. Inquiries concerning this invention may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Code ATU 
Washington, D.C., 20546 
Reference: B65-10286 
Patent status: NASA encourages the immediate 
commercial use of this invention. Inquiries about ob-
taining rights for its commercial use may be made to 
NASA, Code AGP, Washington, D.C., 20546. 
Source: Myron B.' Jonsberg and 
William W. Hand of 
Documentation Incorporated 
under contract to NASA 
(HQ-I2) 
is	
Category 01 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
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Uppercase and lowercase computer printout increases readability

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