NX-2440 MULTI-FONT USERS MANUAL NOT INTENDED FOR SALE QBA 80825551
Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL This manual is organized into eleven chapters. To learn how to make the best use of your printer you are urged to read through chapters 1 through 6. Chapters 7 through 11 may be treated as a refernce guide for programming operations, etc. It assumes a degree of knowledge of the operation of computers.
Chapter 6 - Troubleshooting This section shows a list of check points to follow if your printer is not working properly. It also includes details of some routine maintenance operations you can perform yourself. It is not, however, a complete service manual. Call your authorized service center if you are unsure of your ability to carry out any maintenance or servicing operatioins on the printer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Printer components Summary of printer features Font style example 1 2 4 6 Chapter 2 SETTING UP THE PRINTER Printer placement Unpacking and inspection Setting up Installing the platen knob Removing the front cover Installing the ribbon cartridge Installing the front cover Installing the paper guide Connecting the interface cable Configuring your software for the printer 7 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 13 13 15 Chapter 3 PAPER INSTALLATION AND USE Selection of paper Adjusting t
Font and Pitch lock mode Dot adjustment mode Hexadecimal dump Switch combination functions Form feed Paper parking Top of form Forward micro-feed Reverse micro-feed Changing the auto loading position Clearing the buffer/All reset Save macro definition Conditions indicated by beep tones 32 32 34 35 35 35 36 36 36 37 37 38 39 Chapter 5 DEFAULT SETTINGS - EDS MODE How to set the EDS mode Functions of the EDS settings 41 41 42 Chapter 6 TROUBLESHOOTING 47 Chapter 7 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES Automatic Sheet Fee
Chapter 9 DOWNLOAD CHARACTERS Assigning the character data Assigning a value of character space Sample program 89 90 91 91 Chapter 10 MS-DOS AND YOUR PRINTER Programming the printer with DOS commands Programming with BASIC 95 95 98 Chapter 11 REFERENCE Specifications Pinout of interface connector Parallel interface Serial interface Character sets Italic character set #2 International character sets Graphics character set #2 Character set #1 105 105 108 108 109 110 111 113 114 121 INDEX 123 COMMAND S
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION This printer has a full complement of features, making it an excellent partner for a personal computer. It supports the Epson printer commands and character sets, enabling it to print just about anything your computer can generate, both text and graphics. The selection of paper you can use is as varied as the types of documents you can produce.
PRINTER COMPONENTS 2
Component Description Paper guide Aligns single sheets (cut forms) to help the printer detect when paper is inserted. Release lever Releases pressure on the paper. This lever must be back for cut-sheet forms ( ), and forward for fanfold forms ( ). Front cover Protects the print head and other internal components of your printer. Rear cover Protects the tractor feed unit and separates incoming and outgoing fanfold forms. Entry slot For inserting single sheets of paper.
SUMMARY OF PRINTER FEATURES Feature Function Dot matrix (24-wire) impact printing Draft and Letter-Quality printing. Extensive software support It is compatible with the Epson standard, and works with any software that supports those printers. Multi-font support This printer includes Draft, Roman, Sanserif, Courier, Prestige, and Script fonts. Carriage size A standard carriage that prints on fanfold forms up to 254 mm (10 inches) wide and cut forms up to 215.9 mm (8.5 inches)wide.
Feature Function Paper parking Parks fanfold paper. You can print on cut sheet paper without unloading the fanfold forms. Print styles Highlighting capability with the following emphasis styles: • Double-high • Double-strike • Double-wide • Emphasized • Italics • Outline • Overlining • Shadow • Subscript • Superscript • Underlining. Tear off function Fanfold forms can be removed without advancing blank forms. Multi-part forms Prints up to three-part forms.
FONT STYLE EXAMPLE The following example shows the many font styles your printer can print.
Chapter 2 SETTING UP THE PRINTER This chapter describes the following procedures to set up your new printer. If you have optional accessories, refer to Chapter 7 after setting up the printer. • Printer placement • Unpacking the carton box • Installing the platen knob • Installing the ribbon cartridge • Connecting the printer to your computer • Configure your software for the printer PRINTER PLACEMENT Before you start setting up your printer, make sure that you have a suitable place on which to locate it.
UNPACKING AND INSPECTION Now check each item in the box against Figure 2-1 to make sure that you have everything (there should be five items). If any of these items are missing, contact your supplier. Figure 2-1. Check to make sure you have all five items: 1) Printer, 2) Platen knob, 3) Ribbon cartridge, 4) Paper guide, and 5) User’s manual.
SETTING UP Place the printer in the desired location, and remove all packing material from the printer. This packing material is intended to prevent damage to the printer while in transit. You will want to keep all the packing material, along with the printer carton, in case you have to move the printer to a new location. Installing the platen knob The platen knob is packed into a recess of the cardboard packing material which held your printer inside the carton.
Removing the front cover Open the front cover by lifting up the back cover using the two grips on either side, then remove the cover by pulling up (see Figure 2-3). Figure 2-3. Open the front cover, and remove it by pulling up. NOTE: You can keep the front cover installed on the printer, as shown in Figure 2-4. But, in this case you must take care not to injure your fingers with the tear assist edge. Figure 2-4. The front cover can stay on the printer.
Installing the ribbon cartridge Now install the ribbon with the following procedure. 1. Take the slack out of the ribbon by turning the tension knob on the ribbon cartridge clockwise as shown by the arrow. Figure 2-5. Take out the slack of the ribbon by turning the tension knob on the ribbon cartridge. 2. Guide the ribbon between the print head and the silver print head shield, making certain that the spindles on the cartridge holder fit into the sockets on the cartridge itself. Figure 2-6.
3. Make sure that the ribbon is positioned between the print head and the print head shield as shown in Figure 2-6. 4. Take the slack out of the ribbon again by turning the tension knob. Figure 2-7. Make sure that the ribbon is positioned correctly. Installing the front cover After you have installed the ribbon cartridge, re-install the front cover. 1. Insert the tabs into the slots on the printer case. 2. Swing down the rear of the front cover to close it. Figure 2-8.
Leave the front cover closed during normal operation. The cover keeps out dust and dirt and reduces the printer’s operating sounds. Open the cover only to change the ribbon or make an adjustment. Installing the paper guide Follow the procedure below to install the paper guide: 1. Insert the two slots on either side of the paper guide into the two tabs on the rear cover, as shown in Figure 2-9. 2. Place the paper guide horizontally to use fanfold forms, and vertically to use single sheets. Figure 2-9.
Follow the procedures below to connect the interface cable: 1. Turn off the power switch both the printer and the computer. 2. Connect the interface cable to the printer as shown in Figure 2-10. Make sure that you press the plug into the interface connector. Figure 2-10. Connecting the interface cable. 3. Move both clips inside the extended prongs on the sides of the plug until you hear a click. Figure 2-11. Move the clips until you hear a click. 4.
Configuring your software for the printer Most application software programs let you specify the type of printer you are using so that the software can take full advantage of the printer’s features. Many of these software packages provide an installation or setup program that presents a list of printers.
MEMO 16
Chapter 3 PAPER INSTALLATION AND USE This chapter describes instructions for printing such as selecting paper types, adjusting the printing gap, and installing paper. SELECTION OF PAPER Your printer accepts any of the following types of paper: • Single sheets (cut forms) and stationary Use the friction feed or the optional Automatic Sheet Feeder. • Fanfold forms Fanfold forms have holes along the sides and perforations between the sheets.
ADJUSTING THE PRINTING GAP The distance between the print head and the platen can be adjusted to accommodate different paper thicknesses. The adjustment lever is located at the left side of the printer. Pushing the adjustment lever towards the rear of the printer narrows the gap; pulling it towards the front of the printer widens the gap. There are five positions, and you can feel the lever clicking into each position.
LOADING FANFOLD FORMS This printer accepts fanfold forms up to 10” wide. This printer can feed fanfold forms from the rear of the printer, as shown in Figure 3-3. Figure 3-3. Paper path for fanfold forms. This section will take you through the procedures for loading, parking and unparking fanfold forms. 1. Place a stack of fanfold paper behind and below the printer. 2. Turn the printer’s power OFF. 3. Pull the release lever toward the front of the printer ( ).
4. Open the rear cover using the two grips on either side, as in Figure 3-4. Figure 3-4. Opening the rear cover. 5. Pass the paper between the printer case and the rear cover. 6. Open both tractor covers and mount the paper by aligning holes with the pins on the tractor unit. Figure 3-5. Mount the fanfold paper over the tractor units. 7. Adjust the spacing of the tractor units by sliding them along the bar, using the clamp lever at the back of each unit to release and lock them in position.
8. Now close the tractor covers, again making sure that the paper holes are aligned with the pins on the tractor units. If they are not aligned properly, you will have problems with paper feeding, possibly resulting in tearing and jamming of the paper. Figure 3-6. Adjust the tractor positions to accommodate the width of fanfold forms. 9. Close the rear cover, then set the paper guide in the horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3-7. This will separate the printed from the unprinted paper. Figure 3-7.
11.Now pull the bail lever toward the front of the printer. The paper will be fed and adjusted past the print head to a position ready for printing. Figure 3-8. Pull the bail lever toward the front of the printer to load paper. NOTE: Do not return the bail lever backward before the paper goes through under the bail lever location. The printer indicates with the beep tones to close the bail lever after the paper goes through under the bail lever location. 12.
Figure 3-9. Tear off the printed fanfold paper. 4. Press the PAPER FEED button while holding the FONT button on the control panel. The printer will automatically feed the fanfold form backward until the paper is completely free of the platen. 5. The POWER indicator on the control panel will blink and a beep will sound. 6. Move the release lever toward the rear of the printer ( ). 7. Mount the paper guide in the upright position. Now you can load single sheets.
Tear off function At the end of printing, use this tear off function to cut off the printed form without advancing blank forms. 1. Press and hold the ON LINE button for one second while in the on-line state. The paper will be fed to the tear off position and the printer goes off-line state. 2. Tear off the printed form with the tear assist edge of the front cover. 3. Pull the bail lever forward. The paper automatically returns to the printing position.
LOADING SINGLE SHEETS This section will take you through the procedures for loading single sheets of paper. The paper path for cut forms is shown in Figure 3-10. Figure 3-10. Paper path for cut forms. If you are using the optional Automatic Sheet Feeder, refer to Chapter 7. 1. Raise the paper guide in position on the rear cover of the printer. Figure 3-11. Raise the paper guide for single sheets. 2. Adjust the paper guides to match the size of the paper you will be using.
3. Turn on the power using the switch located at the front of the printer. The printer will beep, indicating that there is no paper in position for printing. The POWER indicator will also flash on the control panel to confirm this. 4. Make sure that the release lever is at rear position ( ). If fanfold paper is already mounted in the printer, press the PAPER FEED button while holding the FONT button to park the paper in the off-line state, then move the release lever toward the rear of the printer. 5.
Chapter 4 CONTROL PANEL OPERATIONS The control panel buttons can be pressed individually to perform the operations indicated by their names. Other functions can be achieved by holding these buttons down when you turn the printer’s power on, or by pressing the control panel buttons in combination. This chapter explains all the button and indicator functions.
ON LINE The ON LINE button sets the printer on-line and off-line. The status changes each time you press the button. When the printer is on-line, it can receive and print data from the computer and will be indicated by the ON LINE indicator being lit. When the printer is off-line, it stops printing and sends the computer a signal indicating that it cannot accept data. The printer powers up in the on-line status when paper is loaded.
PITCH This button allows you to select the printing pitch. Remember that the printer must be off-line for you to do this. Successive presses of this button will illuminate (and select) the following options in order: Pitch Pica (10 CPI) Elite (12 CPI) Semi-condensed (15 CPI) Condensed pica (17 CPI) Condensed elite (20 CPI) Proportional Condensed proportional Indicator(s) 10 CPI 10 CPI, 15 CPI 15 CPI 10 CPI, COND 10 CPI, 15 CPI, COND PROP PROP, COND FONT This button selects the font to be printed.
POWER-UP FUNCTIONS In addition to their normal functions, all of the control panel buttons perform “special” functions if you hold them down while switching the power button on. Figure 4-2. Power-up functions of control panel. Short test mode If the printer is turned on while the ON LINE button is pressed, the printer will enter the short self-test mode. The printer will print the version number of the printer’s ROM, followed by seven lines of the character set.
Long test mode If the printer is turned on while the PAPER FEED button is pressed, the printer will enter the long self-mode. The printer will print the version number of the printer’s ROM, the current Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) settings and the current Dot Adjustment settings, followed by the entire character set printed in each font and pitch available. The test repeats endlessly, so you must turn the power off to stop it. Figure 4-4. Long self-test.
Pitch lock mode By holding the PITCH button down during power-up, the print pitch can only be selected from the control panel. This prevents software interference. You will hear an acknowledging beep as power comes on. After the beep tone, you can set the printer off-line, select a print pitch, then return to on-line and start printing. The pitch you selected will show with indicators on the control panel and will not be reset or otherwise changed by any commands your software may issue.
2. The printer will feed the paper forwards and backwards during this operation, allowing you to view the paper for optimum alignment. 3. To adjust the printing, use the PITCH and PAPER FEED buttons. The PITCH button will move the second pass to the left. The PAPER FEED button will move the second pass to the right. 4. When the two passes are aligned with each other to form one continuous line, the bi-directional alighnment test is completed. 5.
Hexadecimal dump This feature is useful for programmers who are debugging printing programs and want to see the actual codes the printer is receiving. (Some computers change the codes the programmer intended.) In this mode, all data received will be printed in a hexadecimal dump format, rather than the control codes being acted on as command codes. This mode is accessed with the following procedure: 1. While holding both the PITCH and PAPER FEED buttons down, turn power ON. A beep tone will be heard. 2.
SWITCH COMBINATION FUNCTIONS Several additional functions can be achieved by pressing the control panel buttons in combinations. Figure 4-5. Switch combination functions of control panel. Form feed If you are using cut forms, this operation ejects the current page. If you are using fanfold forms, it feeds to the top of the next page. 1. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off-line. 2. Press the PAPER FEED button and hold it down. The printer will start performing successive line feeds. 3.
1. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off-line. 2. Press the FONT button and hold it down. 3. While holding the FONT button down, press the PAPER FEED button. The paper will be fed out backward. Top of form When you power on the printer, the top-of-form position is automatically set to the current position. If this is not where you want the top of the page to be, you can change the top-of-form positon as follows: 1. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off-line. 2.
Changing the auto loading position Normally, the printer automatically loads the paper to the desired position according to the setting of EDS switch B-5. If you want to change this value, follow this procedure: 1. Load the paper by moving bail lever toward the front of the printer. 2. Change the print position using the micro feed function. 3. After you get the desired position, press the ON LINE button to save the value. This position will remain unless you power off the printer.
Save Macro Definition You can save the current settings to the printer for later use with the following procedure: 1. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off-line. 2. Press the FONT button and hold it down. 3. While holding the FONT button down, press the PITCH button and hold them down. 4. Release both buttons at the same time after two beep tones to save the current setting. If you release these buttons after three beep tones, the macro has been cleared.
CONDITIONS INDICATED BY BEEP TONES This section helps you identify the meanings of beep tones. Beep tones Meanings Two seconds tone Printer detects an error condition. Turn off the power switch and turn it on again. Long tone, once Printer detects an error condition. Turn off the power switch and turn it on again. Two long tone sequence, two times Bail lever is closed before the paper goes through the location of the bail lever. Open the bail lever to pass the paper under the bail lever.
MEMO 40
Chapter 5 DEFAULT SETTINGS-EDS MODE From the control panel you can change the parameters that define how your printer works. These parameters become your power-on settings. This function is called the Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) mode. HOW TO SET THE EDS MODE The EDS mode in this printer has 13 functions that you can set as the poweron default. Turn the printer on while simultaneously holding the FONT, PITCH, and PAPER FEED buttons. You will hear an acknowledging beep as power comes on.
FUNCTIONS OF THE EDS SETTINGS The printer stores the parameters that you can select from the control panel while in the EDS mode. A default is the setting that the printer will use if none is specifically selected by a program. When you first turn on or later reset your printer these default settings will take effect. By changing the settings, you can alter various printer functions to match your specific requirements. The following questions will help you choose the proper settings.
Switches A-1 and A-2: RAM Usage These switches determine how to use the RAM memory, as shown below: A-1 A-2 Download Input Buffer Line Buffer ON OFF OFF ON ON OFF Disabled Disabled Enabled 7 K-Byte 16 K-Byte 256 Bytes 2 Lines 1 Line 1 Line Switch A-3: Auto LF with CR If you leave this switch at the ON position, a separate line-feed code is required from your computer to obtain a line feed.
Switch B-5: Printable area This printer can use two types of printing area format. By putting the switch ON (“Type A”), the top of the first line of printing will start 1/6 inch from the top of the paper, and the printed area will end 1/6 inch from the bottom of the paper. By putting the switch OFF (“Type B”), the first line of printing will start at one inch from the top of the paper, and the printed area will end to print 6 mm from the bottom of the printer.
Switches D-2 to D-4: Code Page or International Character Set When the EDS switch D-1 is set ON, these switches select the default character code page as shown below: Code Page #437 U.S.A. #850 Multi-lingual #860 Portuguese #861 Icelandic #863 Canadian French #865 Nordic D-2 ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF D-3 ON ON OFF OFF ON ON D-4 ON ON ON ON OFF OFF International character sets differ in their assignment of 14 character codes in the Italic character set. See the character tables in Chapter 11.
Switches E-1 to E-3: LQ Font Selection These switches allows you to choose the default font selected when LQ mode is selected, as shown below.
Chapter 6 TROUBLESHOOTING This chapter helps you identify printer conditions and problems that you can often correct yourself. Your printer is a reliable piece of precision machinery, which should not cause you any trouble, provided it is used and treated sensibly. However, the few elementary tips below should help you avoid having to make unnecessary service calls. Remember that your printer is a highly sophisticated electronic device, which also contains high voltage inside.
• Printer test works, but printer does not print when attached to computer Check Possible remedy Printer cable has a problem. Make sure that the printer cable is correctly connected at both ends, printer and computer. Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual. program. • Printer sounds the audible alarm Check Possible remedy This might indicate an error Check the status of the control panel indior normal operation.
• Line spacing is incorrect or overprinting occurs Check Possible remedy The tractor positions are in- Adjust the tractor positions. See “Loading correctly adjusted. fanfold forms” in Chapter 3. Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual. program. Platen knob was manually Set the top of form. See “Top of form” in turned while the Power indi- Chapter 4. cator was on. Do not manually turn the platen knob when the power is on. Use the PAPER FEED button.
• Line length is wrong; Graphics do not print; Lines are not starting at left margin Check Possible remedy Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual. program. • Characters are wrong or missing; formatting control codes do not work Check Possible remedy Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual. program. Some wires are missing from Printer needs repair. the print head. Wrong default setting with Check the current EDS setting.
• Printer is unstable; Wrong characters are printed; Left margin changes; Printing stops Check Possible remedy Static electricity is resulting Increase the humidity. from low humidity or inter- Move devices with electric motors away ference from nearby electrical from the printer. devices. • Left margin moves to the right during printing Check Possible remedy The print head is not moving Check that the ribbon and paper are corcorrectly. rectly installed.
• Printer is noisy Check Possible remedy The printer vibrates. Move any objects that touch the printer. Ensure that the printer is on a level, study surface. Printer covers are open. Close covers. MAINTENANCE Essentially, your printer is a robust piece of equipment, but should be treated with a modicum of care in order to avoid malfunctions. For example: • Keep your printer in a “comfortable” environment.
Chapter 7 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES You can select the following accessories as option. • Automatic sheet feeder (SF-10DV) • Serial-Parallel Converter (SPC-8K) This chapter describes how to install and use these optional accessories. NOTE: When you install or remove the optional accessories, turn off the power switch. AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDER (SF-10DV) You can use the Automatic Sheet Feeder (ASF) to print on cut-sheet forms.
Setting up The procedure to install the ASF is: 1. Use the printer’s EDS mode to select ASF as “installed”. (For details, please refer to Chapter 5.) 2. Open the front cover by lifting up the back using the two grips on either side, then remove the cover by pulling up. 3. Move the printer bail lever toward the front of the printer to open the paper bail. Figure 7-2. Remove the front cover, and move the bail lever toward the front of the printer. 4.
5. Confirm that the mounting brackets on both sides of the Automatic Sheet Feeder are correctly engaged on the printer. When they are engaged correctly, the ejection roller can be rotated by turning the platen knob. 6. Install the printer cover provided with the Automatic Sheet Feeder. Figure 7-4. Install the printer cover. 7. Insert the hopper attachment on top of the hopper support section as shown in Figure 7-5. Figure 7-5. Insert the hopper attachment.
8. Insert the stacker attachment, squeeizng it with your hand, into the fixing groove in the front part of the sheet feeder as shown in Figure 7-6. Figure 7-6. Insert the stacker attachment. Now, you can use the ASF by installig the paper stack into the hopper. NOTE: Set the front cover and paper guide aside carefully after they have been removed from the printer. Reverse the procedure described above when removing the Automatic Sheet Feeder.
Loading paper 1. If fanfold paper has already been loaded in the printer, park the paper through the rear slot. 2. Push the printer release lever toward the rear of the printer ( ) to load single sheets. 3. Pull the paper loading lever toward the front of the printer to pull the hopper out until it is in position. Figure 7-7. Pull the paper loading lever forward. 4. Adjust the left paper guide to the desired left position by moving it horizontally in either direction. Figure 7-8.
5. Fan the paper stack and square it off properly before inserting it into the Automatic Sheet Feeder. Figure 7-9. Fan the paper before inserting into the ASF. 6. Insert the paper stack into the Automatic Sheet Feeder. The stack should not be more than 50 sheets of 20 lb paper. If necessary, remove some sheets. The ASF may not perform satisfactorily if it is overloaded. 7. Adjust the right paper guide to accommodate the width of the paper.
INTERFACE CONVERTER To run the printer in serial mode, you should use the optional Serial/Parallel Converter, SPC-8K. The procedure to install the Converter is: 1. Set the DIP switches on the SPC-8K before attaching it to the pritner. (See next page for detailed information.) 2. Turn off the power switch and disconnect the power cord from the power source. 3. Disconnect the interface cable if attached. 4. Connect the Parallel connector to the printer. 5.
DIP switch functions on the converter It is necessary to make compatible the data transfer conditions between the computer and the serial interface board with the DIP switch settings on the converter. Following table shows the functions of the DIP switches on the Serial-Parallel Converter.
Chapter 8 PRINTER CONTROL COMMANDS This printer emulates the functions of the Epson LQ-860/850, and the graphics commands for NEC 24-wire priners. Additional command codes are included as a superset of this emulation. This chapter describes the printer’s control commands. In the descriptions of the commands, all commands will given by functions.
FONT CONTROL COMMANDS Select print quality ASCII Decimal “x” n 27 120 n Hexadecimal 1B 78 n Changes the print quality according to the value of n, as shown below: n Print quality 0 1 Draft Letter quality Ignored if the FONT LOCK mode was selected during power-up. Select LQ font ASCII Decimal “k” n 27 107 n Hexadecimal 1B 6B n Selects an LQ font according to the value of n. In draft mode, this command remains dormant and takes effect later when LQ is selected.
Select upright characters ASCII Decimal “5” 27 53 Hexadecimal 1B 35 Stops italic printing and causes subsequent characters to be printed upright. Emphasized printing ASCII Decimal “E” 27 69 Hexadecimal 1B 45 Causes subsequent characters to be emphasized by adding extra thickness to horizontal strokes. Cancel emphasized printing ASCII Decimal “F” 27 70 Hexadecimal 1B 46 Cancels emphasized printing.
Underlining ASCII Decimal “-” n Hexadecimal 27 45 n 1B 2D n Causes subsequent characters to be underlined when n is 1, and stops underlining when n is 0. Block graphics characters and spaces skipped by horizontal tabulation are not underlined. Select score ASCII Decimal “(” “-” <3> <0> <1> n1 n2 Hexadecimal 27 40 45 3 0 1 n1 n2 1B 28 2D 03 00 01 n1 n2 Start score according to the values of n1 and n2, as shown below.
Superscript ASCII “S” <0> Decimal 27 83 0 Hexadecimal 1B 53 00 Causes subsequent characters to be printed as superscripts. Does not change the character pitch. Subscript ASCII “S” <1> Decimal 27 83 1 Hexadecimal 1B 53 01 Causes subsequent characters to be printed as subscripts. Does not change the character pitch. Cancel superscript or subscript ASCII “T” Decimal 27 84 Hexadecimal 1B 54 Stops printing superscripts or subscripts and returns to normal printing.
CHARACTER SET COMMANDS Assign character set ASCII Decimal “(” “t” <3> <0> n1 n2 <0> Hexadecimal 27 40 116 3 0 1B 28 74 03 00 n1 n2 0 n1 n2 00 Assigns the chracter set, defind with the value of n2, to the character table n1 (where n1 is between 0 and 3) as shown below: n2 Character set 0 1 3 7 8 9 Italic Code Page #437 U.S.A.
Select Graphics character set ASCII Decimal “I” <1> Hexadecimal 28 73 1 1C 49 01 Selects the Graphics character set. This is the power-up default if EDS switch D-1 is set to ON. Select character set #1 ASCII Decimal “7” Hexadecimal 27 55 1B 37 Selects character set #1. Select character set #2 ASCII Decimal “6” Hexadecimal 27 54 1B 36 Selects character set #2.
CHARACTER SIZE AND PITCH COMMANDS Pica pitch ASCII “P” Decimal 27 80 Hexadecimal 1B 50 Changes from either elite or semi-condensed to pica pitch (10 cpi) or from condensed elite to condensed pica (17 cpi). Ignored if the PITCH LOCK mode was selected during power-up. Elite pitch ASCII “M” Decimal 27 77 Hexadecimal 1B 4D Changes from either pica or semi-condensed to elite pitch (12 cpi) or from condensed pica to condensed elite (20 cpi).
Cancel condensed printing ASCII Decimal 18 Hexadecimal 12 Changes from condensed pica to normal pica or from condensed elite to normal elite. Ignored if the PITCH LOCK mode was selected during power-up. Proportional spacing ASCII “p” n Decimal 27 112 n Hexadecimal 1B 70 n Causes subsequent characters to be proportionally spaced when n is 1, and cancels it when n is 0. Ignored if the PITCH LOCK mode was selected during power-up.
Cancel one-line expanded printing ASCII Decimal 20 Hexadecimal 14 Stops one-line expanded printing set with or . Does not cancel “W” 1. Select character width ASCII Decimal “E” n 28 69 n Hexadecimal 1C 45 n Selects a character width according to the value of n as shown below.
Increase character spacing ASCII Decimal n 27 32 n Hexadecimal 1B 20 n Increases the space between characters by n dots, where n is a number from 0 to 127. Used in microjustification. Print double-height characters ASCII Decimal “w” <1> “V” <1> Hexadecimal 27 119 1 1B 77 01 28 86 1 1C 56 01 Prints subsequent characters at double height without moving the base line, and without changing the line spacing.
VERTICAL POSITION COMMANDS Set line spacing to 1/8 inch ASCII Decimal “0” 27 48 Hexadecimal 1B 30 Sets the distance the paper advances or reverses in subsequent line feeds to 1/8 inch. Set line spacing to 1/6 inch ASCII Decimal “2” 27 50 Hexadecimal 1B 32 Sets the distance the paper advances or reverses in subsequent line feeds to 1/6 inch.
Set line spacing to n/60 inch ASCII “A” n Decimal 27 65 n Hexadecimal 1B 41 n Sets the distance the paper advances or reverses in subsequent line feeds to n/60 inch, where n is between 0 and 255. If n = 0, the line spacing is set to 0. Line feed ASCII Decimal 10 Hexadecimal 0A Prints the current line and feeds the paper to the next line. See the preceding commands for the line spacing.
Perform one n/180-inch line feed ASCII “J” n Decimal 27 74 n Hexadecimal 1B 4A n Feeds the paper once by n/180 inches. The value of n is between 0 and 255. Does not move the print position right or left. Does not change the line-spacing setting. Perform one n/180-inch reverse line feed ASCII “j” n Decimal 27 106 n Hexadecimal 1B 6A n Feeds the paper once by n/180 inches in the reverse direction, where n is between 0 and 255. Does not move the print position right or left.
Cancel bottom margin ASCII Decimal “O” 27 79 Hexadecimal 1B 4F Cancels the bottom margin. Form feed ASCII Decimal 12 Hexadecimal 0C Feeds the paper to the top of the next page according to the current page length, and moves the print position to the left margin. When the automatic sheet feeder (ASF) is selected with EDS switch A-4, this command ejects the current page. Set vertical tab stops ASCII “B” n1 n2 .... <0> Decimal 27 66 n1 n2 .... 0 Hexadecimal 1B 42 n1 n2 ...
Select vertical tab channel ASCII “/” n0 Decimal 27 47 n0 Hexadecimal 1B 2F n0 Selects a set of vertical tab stops designated by a channel number (n0) from 0 to 7. The tab stops in each channel are set by “b” Vertical tab ASCII Decimal 11 Hexadecimal 0B Feeds the paper to the next vertical tab stop and moves the print position to the left margin. Performs a line feed if no vertical tabs are set, as at power-up.
HORIZONTAL POSITION COMMANDS Set left margin ASCII Decimal “l” n Hexadecimal 27 108 n 1B 6C n Sets the left margin at column n (where n is between 0 and 255) in the current character pitch (pica pitch if proportional spacing is selected). The left margin does not move if the character pitch is changed later.
Carriage return ASCII Decimal 13 Hexadecimal 0D Prints the current line and returns the next print position to the left margin. If EDS switch A-3 is set to OFF, also performs a line feed. Backspace ASCII Decimal 8 Hexadecimal 08 Moves the print position one column to the left. Ignored if the print position is at the left margin. This command can be used to overstrike or combine characters. Set horizontal tab stops ASCII “D” n1 n2 .... <0> Decimal 27 68 n1 n2 ....
Relative horizontal tab ASCII “\” n1 n2 Decimal 27 92 n1 n2 Hexadecimal 1B 5C n1 n2 Moves the print position right or left a specified distance. Ignored if the resulting position is beyond the right or left margin. The formulas for the distance and direction are as follows: If n2 is between 0 and 63, the print head moves right by (n1 + n2 x 256) dots.
GRAPHICS COMMANDS Print normal-density 8-bit graphics ASCII “K” n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Decimal Hexadecimal 27 75 n1 n2 1B 4B n1 n2 m1 m2 ... m1 m2 ... Prints bit-image graphics at 60 dots per inch horizontally. The graphic image is 8 dots high and n1 + n2 x 256 dots wide. Maximum width is 8 inches (480 dots). m1, m2, ... are the dot data, each a 1-byte value from 0 to 255 representing 8 vertical dots, with the most significant bit at the top and the least significant bit at the bottom.
Print quadruple-density 8-bit graphics ASCII “Z” n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Decimal Hexadecimal 27 90 n1 n2 m1 m2 ... 1B 5A n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Prints bit-image graphics at 240 dots per inch horizontally (maximum 1920 dots wide), skipping every second dot in the horizontal direction. See “K” for other information. Print hex-density 24-bit graphics ASCII “Z” n1 n2 m1 m2 m3 ... Decimal 28 90 n1 n2 m1 m2 m3 ... Hexadecimal 1C 5A n1 n2 m1 m2 m3 ...
Select graphics mode ASCII Decimal “*” n0 n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Hexadecimal 27 42 n0 n1 1B 2A n0 n1 n2 m1 m2 ... n2 m1 m2 ... Selects one of eleven graphics modes depending on the value of n0 and prints bit-image graphics in this mode. See “K” (for 8-bit graphics) or “Z” (for 24-bit graphics) for information on n1, n2, m1, m2, ...
DOWNLOAD CHARACTER COMMANDS Define download characters ASCII Decimal “&” <0> n1 n2 m0 m1 m2 d1 d2 ... dx Hexadecimal 27 38 0 n1 1B 26 00 n1 n2 m0 m1 m2 d1 d2 ... dx n2 m0 m1 m2 d1 d2 ... dx Defines one or more new characters (up to 127 characters) and stores them in RAM for later use. EDS switches A-1 and A-2 must be set OFF; otherwise RAM is used as an input buffer, not downloading characters and this command is ignored.
Copy character set from ROM into RAM ASCII Decimal “:” <0> n <0> 27 58 0 n 0 Hexadecimal 1B 3A 00 n 00 Copies the selected character set with n, as shown below, to the corresponding download character RAM area, overwriting any download data already present. Ignored when EDS switches A-1 and A-2 are not set OFF. n Font 0 1 2 3 4 Roman Sanserif Courier Prestige Script Select download character set ASCII “%” <1> Decimal 27 37 1 Hexadecimal 1B 25 01 Selects the download character set.
OTHER PRINTER COMMANDS Set MSB to 1 ASCII “>” Decimal 27 62 Hexadecimal 1B 3E Sets the most significant bit of each subsequent byte received to 1, allowing users with a 7-bit interface to access characters with ASCII codes greater than 127. Set MSB to 0 ASCII “=” Decimal 27 61 Hexadecimal 1B 3D Sets the most significant bit of each subsequent byte received to 0.
Set printer off-line ASCII Decimal 19 Hexadecimal 13 Sets the printer off-line. The printer disregards all subsequent characters and commands except , which returns it to the on-line. The printer’s ON LINE indicator does not go off. Set printer on-line ASCII Decimal 17 Hexadecimal 11 Returns the printer to on-line state, allowing it to receive and process all subsequent characters and commands.
One-line uni-directional printing ASCII “<” Decimal 27 60 Hexadecimal 1B 3C Immediately returns the print head to the left margin, then prints the remainder of the line from left to right. Normal printing resumes on the next line. Manual feed ASCII <0> Decimal 27 25 0 Hexadecimal 1B 19 00 Selects manual sheet feeding even when the optional automatic sheet feeder is mounted. Ignored if EDS switch A-4 is set ON.
Reset printer ASCII Decimal “@” “@” Hexadecimal 27 64 1B 40 28 64 1C 40 Reinitializes the printer. Clears the print buffer and returns settings to their power-up values. Does not clear the input buffer or change ASF selections.
Chapter 9 DOWNLOAD CHARACTERS With this printer you can create new characters and symbols, download their dot data, and have them printed in place of selected characters in the regular character set. Characters that can be generated in this way range from simple but useful symbols like the check mark through to complex Chinese or Japanese characters. Regular characters are permanently stored in the printer’s ROM, but characters you design are downloaded and stored in RAM for use.
Figure 9-1. Use this grid (or one similar to it) to define your own characters. ASSIGNING THE CHARACTER DATA Now, we calculate the vertical numerical values of the columns of dots, and enter them underneath the grid. Each vertical column (which has a maximum of 24 dots) is first divided into three groups (or two groups for super/ subscripts) of eight dots. Each group of eight dots is represented by one byte, which consists of eight bits. This is where the numbers down the left side of the grid come in.
ASSIGNING A VALUE OF CHARACTER SPACE Besides being able to specify the actual width of the character, this printer allows you to specify the position in the standard grid where the character will print. You must specify the dot column in which the printed character starts and the dot column in which the character ends.
92
93
MEMO 94
Chapter 10 MS-DOS AND YOUR PRINTER When using your printer with an IBM PS/2, PC-AT or compatible, you will probably be using PC-DOS or MS-DOS as an operating system. A number of software tricks may be useful here. This chapter is not, however, a substitute for the operating system manuals supplied with your computer. To learn how to print files, etc. it is best to read the relevant parts of these manuals. PROGRAMMING THE PRINTER WITH DOS COMMANDS If your system includes the file PRINT.
See your DOS manual for further information about the PRINT command. If your system does not include PRINT.COM, you can print files by using the PRN device name in COPY or TYPE commands such as the following: COPY and TYPE do not permit you to execute other commands while the file is printing. If you want a particular font, or print pitch, you can make these settings from the control panel before you start printing. See Chapter 4.
^V indicates that the following character is a control code. ^V[ enters the code. has character code 27, and “[” is the 27th character from A in the ASCII sequence. Similarly, ^VA enters the control code <1>. See your DOS manual if you need further information about EDLIN. You can now set up the printer by sending it the file LQELITE.DAT. To avoid unnecessary logging of commands, switch hard-copy output off (by pressing CTRL-PRTSC if hard copy is on). To print the file README.
PROGRAMMING WITH BASIC As an example of programming the printer on Microsoft BASIC, we have listed the program for the IBM-PC. This program runs in the downloadable condition.
99
100
101
102
103
How the program works This program begins by assigning a number of printer commands to BASIC string variables (lines 1000 to 1060). You can find most of these commands near the beginning of chapter 7. The WIDTH “LPT1:” 255 statement in line 1080 means infinite line width. It prevents the IBM-PC from inserting unwanted carriage returns and line feeds in graphics data. Actual printing begins in line 1090.
Chapter 11 REFERENCE SPECIFICATIONS Printing system .......................... Serial Impact Dot-matrix Printing speed ............................ Pica Draft 160cps Letter Quality 53cps Elite 192cps 64cps Semi-condensed 240cps 80cps Print direction ........................... Bi-directional, logic-seeking Uni-directional, logic-seeking (selectable) Print head .................................. 24 pins Life 200 million dots Line spacing ..............................
Character matrix ............................
Maximum buffer size ................ Without Download 16kB With Download 256Bytes Emulations ................................ Epson LQ-860/850, NEC 24-wire Graphics commands Interface .................................... Centronics parallel (standard) RS-232C serial (option) Ribbon type ...............................
PINOUT OF INTERFACE CONNECTOR The following describes the pinout of the interface connector (signals which are low when active are overlined). Parallel interface Pin Name Function 1 STROBE Goes from high to low (for > 0.
Serial Interface Pin Name Function 1 GND Printer’s chassis ground. 2 TXD This pin carries data from the printer. 3 RXD This pin carries data to the printer. 4 RTS This pin is always set to space. 5 CTS This pin is Space when the conputer is ready to send data. This printer does not check this pin. 6 N/C 7 GND 8 - 10 N/C 11 RCH 12 N/C 13 GND 14 - 19 N/C 20 DTR 21 - 25 N/C Signal ground. This printer turns this pin Space when it is ready to receive data.
CHARACTER SETS The following tables show the Italic and Graphics character sets. The decimal character code of each character is shown in an inset to the lower right of the character. The hexadecimal code can be found by reading the entries at the top and left edges of the table. For example, the character “A” is in column 4 and row 1, so its hexadecimal character code is 41. This is equivalent (4 x 16 + 1 = 65) to decimal 65, the number in the inset.
Italic character set #2 111
112
International character sets When an international character set is selected by a command from software, the following changes are made in the Italic character set: The command for selecting the international character set is: “R” n Where n means character code n, i. e. CHR$(n) in BASIC. The values of n are: 0 1 2 3 4 5 U.S.A.
Graphics character set #2 Code Page #437 (U.S.A.
115
Code Page #850 (Multi-lingual) Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.
Code Page #860 (Portuguese) Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.
Code Page #861 (Icelandic) Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.
Code Page #863 (Canadian French) Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.
Code Page #865 (Nordic) Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.
Character set #1 Other characters are identical to character set #2. The duplication of control codes enables systems with a 7-bit interface to obtain control functions when the most significant bit is set to 1 by the “>” command.
MEMO 122
INDEX 123
124
125
126
COMMAND SUMMARY The following commands take effect with this printer.
128
129
130
