PURPOSE: To make it possible to connect dots of a dot print character by extracting part of a pattern from a character signal and then by exercising control over a connection between partial patterns in accordance with a dot interval.

CONSTITUTION: Character signal 11 obtained by character signal generator 1 is decomposed into binary coded mesh picture element signals, which are led to the input of element J1 of shift register A. Then thus decomposed character signal is shifted from element J1 to J40 and the output of element 40 is led to the input of element K1. Similarly, it is shifted from the lower to the upper and from the left to the right in lines KWP. Then, a mutual relation as a two dimensional pattern in shift operation is held in register A. On the basis of the picture element signal stored in register A, the mesh picture element signal between adjacent dots whose longitudinal and slanting dot intervals are found to be below a fixed value is controlled as to a partial picture consisting of four mutually-adjoining arrayed dots, thereby making a connection between the dots. Consequently, dots of a dot print character can be connected.