Electronic typewriter

Abstract

Character and control code data are input from a keyboard into a memory. A CRT display unit displays one line of data stored in the memory. A printer is automatically activated to print the line of data in response to a carriage return or line feed code, a hyphen near the right margin or a space near the right margin with a character in the right margin position. In the latter case, the next line is displayed starting with the character position following the space. The printer prints the line while the next line is being input and displayed. The margins, tab positions and a hot zone near the right margin are displayed above the line of data while a cursor is displayed below the line. Character codes such as backspace codes are displayed with the data and the positions of the data on the display always correspond to the printed data positions. A margin release key may be depressed when the cursor is positioned at the right or left margin to allow data input, display and printing rightwardly of the right margin or leftwardly of the left margin respectively, and further delete the corresponding margin mark from the display. Where data is entered rightwardly of the right margin, the printer is activated by a carriage return, line feed, space or hyphen code. Means are provided to right justify the line of data where the unjustified line of data ends leftwardly or rightwardly of the right margin.