EPSON SQ-2000 Printer Operating Manual
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception.
Contents 1 2 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 10 Steps to Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 7 8 9 Selecting the Right Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unpacking the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Putting on the Paper Feed Knob . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 4 5 iv Using the SQ-2000 ........................ Using the SQ-2000 with Word Processors . . . . Using the SQ-2000 with other application programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Programming with the SQ-2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . Computer-to-printer communications . . . . ASCII codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Control codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ESCape sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 DotGraphics.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How the SQ-2000 Prints Dot Graphics . . . . . . . . Syntax of the Graphics Command . . . . . . . . . . . . Using Hand-Calculated Data to Print Graphics.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printing Multiple Lines of 8-Dot Graphics . . . . Using the 24-Dot Graphics Options . . . . . . . . . . Using the SQ-2000 as a Plotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Individual Graphics Options Commands . . . .
Appendixes ... ... ... ... ... A-l A-2 A-7 A-10 A-15 A-17 A-20 B ASCII Code Conversion Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-l C Widths of the Proportional Characters. . . . . . . . C-l D Setting the DIP Switches .................. D-l D-l D-3 D-3 D-4 D-4 D-5 D-5 D-5 D-5 D-6 D-6 D-8 D-8 D-8 D-8 D-8 E Using the Optional Tractor Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . E-l E-l E-2 E-3 E-4 ............................ F-l F-l F-2 A F SQ-2000 Command Summary Location of Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figures 1-1 Printer location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Printerparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ 1-3 Interface card installed ............ ... . 1-4 Installing the paper feed knob’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... 1-5 The ink cartridge 1-6 Installing the single-sheet paper guide . . . . . . 1-7 Removing the protective plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Sliding in the interface card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6-6 Map of 24-dot graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Data layout for 24-dot graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 Eight-dot (top) and 24-dot (bottom) versions of the density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9 Figure produced by plotting program . . . . . . . . 6-10 Order of array elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11 Curve produced by minor change in plotting program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tables .......... 26 Proportional print styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Draft pica print styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Draft elite print styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Letter quality pica print styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Letter quality elite print styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 38 39 40 41 5 - l User-defined character design grids . . . . . . . . . . 60 6-l Graphics options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction The Epson SQ-2000 Ink Jet Printer gives you the versatility, speed, and graphics capability of a dot matrix printer, together with print quality close to that of a daisy wheel printer. A major advantage of the ink jet is its quiet operation, which sets it in a class by itself. Features Like a conventional dot matrix printer, the SQ-2000 uses dots to create each character. Instead of using a ribbon, it transfers the characters onto the paper through 24 ink nozzles.
About the Manual This manual contains all the information you need to operate the SQ-2000. In the first section, you’ll find the necessary details to get your SQ-2000 up and running. The second part of the manual contains information on how to take full advantage of some of the printer’s special features. Chapter 1 shows you how to print your first document in ten easy steps.
Chapter 1 10 steps to Printing Setting up your SQ-2000 is simple and straightforward, even if you’ve never used a printer before. In this chapter, you’ll learn how to set up your printer and perform your first printing job in 10 easy steps, shown on the next two pages.
1 Unpacking the printer 3 Installing the ink cartridge 5 4 2 Putting on the paper feed knob 4 Setting up the paper guide Installing the inferface card
6 8 Connecting the printer Loading the paper 7 Customizing the printer 9 Self-testing the printer ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\] BCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^ CDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_ DEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_' EFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'a FGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'ab GHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'abc HIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'abcd IJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'abcde JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'abcdef KLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'abcdefg LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'abcdefgh MNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_'abcdefghi NOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]
Figure 1-1. Continuous paper feeding Selecting the Right Location To make sure you’ve picked a satisfactory location for your SQ-2000, keep the following points in mind. The location should be: l l l l l l A flat, stable surface with enough room for continuous paper feed as shown in the illustration. Served by an electrical outlet that cannot be turned off accidentally by a wall switch or similar switch. Out of direct sunlight and not exposed to grease or dust.
Single-sheet paper guide Manual Figure l-2. Printer parts 1 Unpacking the Printer Carefully lift the SQ-2000 from the carton. Remove the protective shipping material and plastic wrapping. Save these packing materials with the carton in case you need to ship or store your printer later. Check to see that you have all the parts shown above. If a part is missing or appears damaged, contact your dealer. You should also have the printer interface card suitable for your computer.
Figure 1-4. Installing the paper feed knob 2 Putting on the Paper Feed Knob Slip the paper feed knob into place as shown above, aligning the knob so that it matches the flat side of the platen shaft. Note: If you’re going to ship the printer, be sure to remove the knob to safeguard against damaging it.
Figure 1-5. The ink cartridge 3 Installing the Ink Cartridge Caution: Under no circumstances should the power be switched ON when the ink cartridge has been removed. The ink compartment is located in the left rear corner of the printer. To open the compartment, pull back and up on the lid and set it aside. Remove the ink cartridge tank from its vacuum-packed wrapping. Holding the tank with the white label toward the front of the printer, insert the tank into the compartment.
Figure 1-6. Installing the single-sheet paperguide 4 Setting Up the Single-Sheet Paper Guide You’ll use the single-sheet paper guide to feed individual sheets of paper into the SQ-2000. To install this guide, hold the guide in both hands, facing the front of the printer. With the guide tilted away from you, lower its two notched feet into the two slots shown above. At the back of each slot is a round horizontal bar. Place the notches in the guide’s feet on these two bars.
Figure 1-7. Removing the protective plate 5 Installing the Interface Card If your printer already has the interface card installed, go ahead to Step 6. (Look back to Step 1 to see how the card looks when it is installed.) Warning: If you have been operating the printer, first turn it off, then unplug it before attempting to install or remove the interface card. First, use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws shown above. Set them aside carefully so they won’t get lost.
Figure l-9. Snapping the interface card into place Use both thumbs as shown above to push the card into place. You should feel a slight resistance when there’s about a quarter of an inch to go. Press gently with gradually increasing pressure until the card snaps into place. If the card doesn’t seem to align correctly, remove it carefully and try again. Be sure it is properly positioned in the grooves. Now inspect the card. It should be firmly seated, the back plate flush with the back of the printer.
Figure l-10. Connecting the printer and computer 6 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer To connect the SQ-2000 to your computer, you’ll need either a parallel or serial interface cable, depending on your computer. Refer to the manual for your computer or check with your dealer for the proper cable. First, make sure both the computer and printer are turned OFF. Next, plug one end of the cable into the computer and the other end into the connector on the interface card.
olumn DIP switch panel Interface DIP switch panel Figure l-21. Locating the DIP switches 7 Customizing the Printer There are two DIP switch panels on the SQ-2000 that allow you to customize the printer to your special needs. These are shown in the picture. The switches are preset at the factory, but they can be changed to suit a variety of applications. For information on the DIP switches and how to change them, see Appendix D.
Figure l-12. Loading single-sheet paper 8 Loading Single-Sheet Paper Before beginning the paper-loading procedure, plug in the SQ-2000 and turn it on. When you turn the printer on, a number of things happen: l l The print head moves all the way to the left, and goes through a brief self-cleaning cycle. You’ll hear a whirring noise that will last a few seconds then stop. (For more details on the SQ-2000’s self-cleaning feature, see Chapter 4.) The indicator lights on the control panel light up.
Now you’re ready to load paper. 1. Press the ON LINE button. The ON LINE and READY lights go out, indicating that the printer is off-line-the power is on but the printer won’t print. 2. Insert a sheet of paper into the paper guide and press the SHEET FEED button. The paper automatically feeds into the printer, and the red PAPER OUT light goes out. 3. With the paper loaded, lift the dust cover and adjust the rollers on the pressure bar as shown below. I’ I I Figure 1-13.
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A Word About Selecting Paper With an ink jet printer, paper absorbency is an important component for good print quality. Paper which is either too absorbent or not absorbent enough will give you less than optimum print quality. You can see in Figure 1-16 what happens when paper is used which soaks up too much ink. The ink tends to bleed, causing blurred or smeared characters. Figure 1-17 shows what can happen when paper is not absorbent enough. The characters take too long to dry and are easily smeared.
Testing your paper To test a supply of paper, take the top sheet from the package and load it in the printer. Have your printer perform its self-test as shown in Step 9. Now carefully look at each character in every line. If no ink bleeds, the paper should be suitable for your SQ-2000. Then take a new sheet from the package. This time, turn the sheet over and run the self test on the reverse side of the paper.
10 Printing Your First Document Now you’re ready to print out your first document. Simply follow the normal procedure for your word processor. Additional information on printing documents can be found in Chapter 3.
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Chapter 2 Operation This chapter covers the switches that control the operation of the SQ-2000, the panel indicators, and initialization sequences. Power Switch The main power switch is a rocker switch on the left side of the SQ-2000 towards the back. Press the front of the switch to turn the power on and the back of the switch to turn it off. Warning: Never turn the power on or off by the switch at the main outlet.
Figure 2-l. Power switch and control panel Control Panel Buttons The control panel buttons are on the front of the printer. You should familiarize yourself with their functions before operating your printer. Figure 2-2. Control panel buttons ON LINE button This button switches between the on-line and off-line states. If the paper is properly loaded, the on-line state is automatically selected when the power switch is turned on. The SQ-2000 then stands by to receive data from the host computer.
FF (Form Feed) button This button is effective only when the SQ-2000 is in the offline state. When you press the FF button in the off-line state, the paper is advanced to the next top of form. LF (Line Feed) button This button is effective only when the SQ-2000 is in the offline state. When you press this button in the off-line state, the paper is advanced by a single line according to the current line spacing value. If you hold down the switch, the paper continues to advance.
Indicators The control panel has a number of lights that indicate the state of the printer. The meanings of the indicators are as follows. Figure 2-3. Control panel indicators Table 2-l.
Paper-end detector The printer is equipped with a paper-end detector that warns you when the printer runs out of paper. When the printer detects that the paper has run out, printing stops, the PAPER OUT indicator goes on and the buzzer sounds. The PAPER OUT light goes out when paper is loaded. However, printing does not restart until the ON LINE switch is pressed. The SQ-2000 has an override which allows the paper to move approximately one inch after the end of paper has been sensed.
Initialization The SQ-2000 is initialized (i.e., set to a fixed set of conditions) in the following cases: l l When you turn the power switch on. (When you use a parallel interface) If the INIT signal is received from the host computer, causing pin 31 of the parallel interface to become LOW. When you give the @ software command. The initialization sequence proceeds as follows (except when using the software command): l 1. All interface signals are reset. 2. The input buffer is cleared. 3.
Chapter 3 Using the SQ-2000 This chapter tells you how to set up your word processor or other applications software to work with the SQ-2000. If you are interested in programming with the SQ-2000, the second part of this chapter contains basic information on control codes and ESCape sequences. Using the SQ-2000 with Word Processors Most word processing programs today support the SQ-2000 because it uses the same commands and control codes as many Epson printers.
What type of interface are you using? Parallel or serial (this will depend on the interface board in the SQ-2000, your computer, and the type of cable you have). Programs that don’t specifically list the SQ-2000 may ask other questions about your printer. The following questions are asked most often (the answers follow in bold). 1. Does your printer (SQ-2000) do standard backspacing? Yes 2.
Computer-to-printer communications A computer and printer communicate by means of numbered codes. If you press the letter A on the keyboard, it is translated into a numeric code, transmitted to a peripheral device (such as a video screeen or a printer) then displayed as the letter A. To cope with the many different kinds of computers and printers used today, a standard set of codes has been developed. This set of codes is called the American Standard Code for Information Interchange, or ASCII for short.
Control codes Most of the time you don’t give this code system a thought. If you press A on the keyboard, the computer sends the code to the printer and the letter A is printed. However, some printer codes, like the one for a line feed, do not have a key on the keyboard. These are the ASCII codes with values of less than 33. These codes are called control codes because they control the operation of the printer.
Translating the ASCII code You may also find that different manuals and programs use different terms for the same characters or functions. For example, your computer manual may say to send the decimal 10 for a line feed, while your spreadsheet program recommends a or CTRL-J for the same thing. Appendix B contains a conversion chart for all the common names of the ASCII codes, and shows the relationship between the different forms of notation.
3. Next type: 20 LPRINT CHR$(27) "4" "ITALIC PRINTING"; 4. Now press RETURN, type RUN, and press RETURN again. The SQ-2000 prints: NORMAL PRINTING ITALIC PRINTING This time the printer receives a CHR$(27) which is the code for ESCape or . This tells the printer that whatever comes next should be interpreted as a printer command. Next comes “4” -- if you look under the SQ-2000 commands in Appendix A, you’ll find that “4” is the command for italic print.
The “p” 1 in line 40 turns on the proportional printing, and the “p” 0 in line 50 turns it off. 9. Next type: 6 0 L P R I N T C H R $ ( 2 7 ) “ E ” “EMPHASIZED PRINTING” ; 70 LPRINT CHR$(27) “F”; 10. Now press RETURN, type RUN, and press RETURN again. The SQ-2000 prints: NORMAL PRINTING ITALIC PRINTING PROPORTIONAL PRINTING EMPHASIZED PRINTING The “E” in line 60 turns on the emphasized printing and the “F” in line 70 turns it off. The program is now complete.
This command would select italic proportional print. In BASIC, the same command would look like this: LPRINT CHR$(27) “!” CHR$(66); You can make up your own combinations quite easily. This is possible because each print style has its own value you can use with the Master Select command. To create a “custom” Master Select Code, add the values of the print styles you wish to combine.
The Select Print Quality command will select either the letter quality or the draft set. The select print quality command looks like this: “x” 0 - To select the draft set “x” 1 - To select the letter quality set Table 3-1.
Table 3-2.
Table 3-3.
Table 3-4.
Table 3-5.
Chapter3 Using the SQ-2000 This chapter tells you how to set up your word processor or other applications software to work with the SQ-2000. If you are interested in programming with the SQ-2000, the second part of this chapter contains basic information on control codes and ESCape sequences. Using the SQ-2000 with Word Processors Most word processing programs today support the SQ-2000 because it uses the same commands and control codes as many Epson printers.
What type of interface are you using? Parallel or serial (this will depend on the interface board in the SQ-2000, your computer, and the type of cable you have). Programs that don’t specifically list the SQ-2000 may ask other questions about your printer. The following questions are asked most often (the answers follow in bold). 1. Does your printer (SQ-2000) do standard backspacing? Yes 2.
Computer-to-printer communications A computer and printer communicate by means of numbered codes. If you press the letter A on the keyboard, it is translated into a numeric code, transmitted to a peripheral device (such as a video screeen or a printer) then displayed as the letter A. To cope with the many different kinds of computers and printers used today, a standard set of codes has been developed. This set of codes is called the American Standard Code for Information Interchange, or ASCII for short.
Control codes Most of the time you don’t give this code system a thought. If you press A on the keyboard, the computer sends the code to the printer and the letter A is printed. However, some printer codes, like the one for a line feed, do not have a key on the keyboard. These are the ASCII codes with values of less than 33. These codes are called control codes because they control the operation of the printer.
Translating the ASCII code You may also find that different manuals and programs use different terms for the same characters or functions. For example, your computer manual may say to send the decimal 10 for a line feed, while your spreadsheet program recommends a or CTRL-J for the same thing. Appendix B contains a conversion chart for all the common names of the ASCII codes, and shows the relationship between the different forms of notation.
3. Next type: 20 LPRINT CHR$(27) "4" "ITALIC PRINTING"; 4. Now press RETURN, type RUN, and press RETURN again. The SQ-2000 prints: NORMAL PRINTING ITALIC PRINTING This time the printer receives a CHR$(27) which is the code for ESCape or . This tells the printer that whatever comes next should be interpreted as a printer command. Next comes “4” -- if you look under the SQ-2000 commands in Appendix A, you’ll find that “4” is the command for italic print.
The “p” 1 in line 40 turns on the proportional printing, and the “p” 0 in line 50 turns it off. 9. Next type: 6 0 L P R I N T C H R $ ( 2 7 ) “ E ” “EMPHASIZED PRINTING” ; 70 LPRINT CHR$(27) “F”; 10. Now press RETURN, type RUN, and press RETURN again. The SQ-2000 prints: NORMAL PRINTING ITALIC PRINTING PROPORTIONAL PRINTING EMPHASIZED PRINTING The “E” in line 60 turns on the emphasized printing and the “F” in line 70 turns it off. The program is now complete.
This command would select italic proportional print. In BASIC, the same command would look like this: LPRINT CHR$(27) “!” CHR$(66); You can make up your own combinations quite easily. This is possible because each print style has its own value you can use with the Master Select command. To create a “custom” Master Select Code, add the values of the print styles you wish to combine.
The Select Print Quality command will select either the letter quality or the draft set. The select print quality command looks like this: “x” 0 -- To select the draft set “x” 1 -- To select the letter quality set Table 3-1.
Table 3-2.
Table 3-3.
Table 3-4.
Table 3-5.
Chapter 4 Printer Care and Maintenance In this chapter, you’ll learn about the self-cleaning feature and other operating aspects of the printer. There’s also a troubleshooting chart you can use to quickly solve any little problems that might arise. As you’ll see, the SQ-2000 is not only easy to use -- it’s also simple to maintain on a daily basis. Periodic attention by a service technician is necessary, however.
How Automatic Print Head Cleaning Works Each time you turn on the printer it goes through a brief cleaning cycle in which cleaning solvent is sprayed through the nozzles. When you turn the printer off, it cleans itself again. Moreover, during printing the SQ-2000 periodically pauses for a few moments to clean the print head’s lower nozzles, which don’t get used as much and are more liable to become clogged. A reservoir contained in the disposable ink cartridge supplies the cleaning solvent.
Figure 4-Z. Buttons for cleaning during printing This time the print head did something different. It performed the cleaning action, but first it stopped for several seconds in front of the revolving rubber “brush” next to the storage station. That gave it an additional scrubbing to remove dirt and other deposits. To resume printing, simply press the ON LINE button again and the printing starts from the point of interruption.
ton. This special cleaning also takes about two minutes. Be careful not to unplug the printer too quickly. As with the other extended cleaning cycle, there’s a quiet period during which solvent is allowed to soak into the print head and other parts. Wait for the POWER light to go out. That’s your signal the printer is ready to be stored or transported.
Troubleshooting Guide Problem Printer will not operate at all after being turned on. Print head will not move or printer stops printing. Dots are missing Check Possible Cause To Solve It See Page Printer is not on-line with computer. l Check to see if ON LINE indicator is glowing. l Press ON LINE button to make printer go online. 16, 24 Ink cartridge is not set in place or pushed down far enough. l Check if the ink cartridge is installed and that it is not down past the hooking edges.
Problem Dots still missing after normal cleaning cycle. Print “bleeds” and has blurred appearance. Possible Cause Check Dirty print head. To Solve It See Page l Do extended cleaning. 45 Ink cartridge faulty. l Check ink cartridge for effective use period. l Turn printer off. Replace with new ink cartridge with unexpired effective period. Clean after replacement. 9, 44 Paper is too coarse or overly absorbent. l Do printer self-test and inspect result. l Use other side of paper.
Problem Paper has ink stains or splotches. Continuous paper feeds irregularly: tension on paper is uneven. Possible Cause Check Check to see that paper pressure bar is properly set with end rollers at the edge of the paper. To Solve It See Page l Adjust rollers on paper pressure bar. 16, E-4 I Paper setting method is wrong. l Ink has been sprayed onto platen. l Inspect platen for ink. l Clean the platen. Obstruction behind platen is binding paper.
Chapter 5 User-Defined Characters With the SQ-2000, it is possible to define and print characters of your own design. This can be useful if you want to design an entirely new alphabet or typeface. You can also create characters for special applications (for example, mathematical or scientific symbols). Or, you may want to create graphic patterns with userdefined characters to serve as building blocks for larger designs. How these are done is the subject of this chapter.
As the print head moves across the page, electrical impulses cause the appropriate nozzles to release ink against the the paper, causing a single dot to print with each impulse. Figure 5-1 shows the print head as it prints a capital H. In the first column, six nozzles release ink, and in the next four columns, one nozzle releases ink. In the last column six nozzles release ink again. Figure 5-1.
Figure 5-2 shows two of the character matrixes with the dots used to print the letter H. All of the SQ-2000’s characters are stored in the same manner. Draft Letter Quality Figure 5-2. Character grids Defining Your Own Characters With the knowledge of how the SQ-2000 stores and prints characters, you are ready to define your own. The first step in defining characters is to lay out the dots on a grid just as you want them to print.
Fig. 5-3. User-defined character Next, you translate the dot pattern you’ve created on paper to a numeric format so you can send the information to the SQ-2000. Every dot has an assigned value. Each vertical column (which has a maximum of 24 dots) is first divided into three groups of eight dots. Each group of eight dots is represented by one byte, which consists of eight bits. Hence, one bit represents each dot.
MSB 00011001 -25:D LSB MSB 01010101 - 85:D2 LSB MSB 01010000 - 8O:D3 LSB MSB = Most significant bit LSB = Least significant bit Figure 5-4. Data bytes for -he first column of a new capital A You’ve seen how to design a character by laying out the dots on a grid, translating the dots to binary information, and then converting the binary numbers to decimal equivalents. The next (and final) step in defining a character is to send this information to the printer.
Note: The entire range of ASCII decimal codes (from 0 to 127) can be used for user-defined characters, but a caution is in order. Characters with ASCII decimal values below 32 are usually reserved as control codes by both your computer and your printer. While these characters can be replaced by user-defined characters, it should be avoided because of the effect on the normal control codes. To see how to specify nl and n2, let’s use an example.
An example character definition should make this clear: 10 ‘*** User-defined character: Capital A *** 20 ’ 30 ‘Select draft 40 LPRINT CHR$(27) “x’ CHR$(O); 50 ’ 60 ‘Define download character 70 LPRINT CHR$(27) “&” CHR$(O); 80 ’ 90 ‘beginning and ending at A 100 LPRINT “AA”; 110 LPRINT CHR$(2) CHR$(1O) CHR$(1); 120 ’ 130 ‘left margin, # of digits, right margin 140 FOR I=1 TO 10*3 150 READ A 160 LPRINT CHR$(A); 170 NEXT 180 ’ 190 ‘Print a sample 200 LPRINT “AAAAAAAAAAAAA” 210 ’ 220 ‘Select download 230 LPRINT
Printing User-Defined Characters If you entered the example program above, you defined a capital A and placed it in the RAM location for ASCII decimal 65 (replacing the standard “A” ). You can now print out a three-line sample of your work. The first and third lines (printed by lines 200 and 280 of the program) print the normal A; the second line (line 240) prints the A that you defined. This is the result.
Therefore, the SQ-2000 has a command which allows you to copy all of the standard characters from ROM to the user-defined character set. The command format is: “:” Note: This command will cancel any user-defined characters you have created. You must send this command to the printer before you define characters.
Table 5-1. User-defined character design grids dl dO+d1+d2 (maximum) (maximum) Draft 9 12 Letter Quality 15 18 Proportional 37 Draft mode characters As you have seen, draft characters are designed on a grid which is 24 dots high by 9 dots wide (plus up to three columns of dots for space between characters). User-defined draft characters print at the same high speed as normal draft characters, even though they may print with more dots and may even be designed for proportional spacing.
Unlike draft characters, there are no restrictions on which dots can print. You can print a solid box of 360 (15x24) dots if you wish. This, coupled with the closer dot spacing, allows you to design characters with higher resolution. The drawback is speed. Normal letter quality characters print more slowly than draft characters; the same is true of the user-defined character set.
Other considerations Keep in mind that user-defined characters are stored in RAM, which is volatile in nature. Whenever the printer power is turned off, all of the user-defined characters are lost. Likewise, initializing the printer will clear the user-defined character area. Initializing can be done with the “@” command. Also, your computer sometimes sends an initialization (INIT) signal. (Some computers do this each time BASIC is loaded.
230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 351 352 353 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 , 'Select download LPRINT CHR$(27) "%" CHR$(1); ' 'Print character 50 times FOR I=1 TO 50 LPRINT "="; NEXT:LPRINT ' 'Print character 50 times FOR I=1 TO 50 LPRINT ">"; NEXT:LPRINT FOR I=1 TO 25 LPRINT "=>"; NEXT , 'Deselect download LPRINT CHR$(27) "%" CHR$(0) END , 'Small chain DATA 0,162,0,1,17,0,2,40,128,4,68,64,8,130,32 DATA 4,68,64,2,40,128,1,17,0,0,138,0,0,68,0 ' 'Large chain DATA 0,162
Figure 5-5. Character design grid for border characters Here’s how the program works. Line 40 selects letter quality characters; this will be the attribute of the user-defined characters. The data for the first character, which replaces the “=” sign, is sent in lines 140-170. The second character (“>“) is defined in program lines 190-220. In lines 240-353, you test the new characters by printing them in three lines (individually and in combination). Figure 5-6 shows the printout from this program.
Characters that connect vertically Because the SQ-2000’s vertical spacing can be changed, you can also create characters that connect vertically. All you need to do is change the line spacing so that there is no extra space between lines. The following program shows how this technique can be used to print an integral sign that is two lines high.
410 420 430 440 450 DATA 0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,24,0,0,0,0,0,60,0,0,0,0,0,24 DATA 0,0,0,0,0,16,0,0,0,0,0,32,0,0,0,255,255,192 DATA 0,0,0,255,252, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 DATA 0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 DATA 0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 The design grid is shown in Figure 5-7. Figure 5-7. Design grid for integral sign made of two vertically connecting characters Figure 5-8 shows the printout from this program. 2 (aX+bY) dxdy Figure 5-8.
Chapter 6 Dot Graphics The SQ-2000 has all the dot graphics capabilities of the other Epson printers as well as the ability to produce dot graphics using all 24 of the nozzles in the print head. This gives the SQ-2000 approximately three times the vertical resolution of the other printers. This chapter covers how the SQ-2000 produces dot graphics, explains the commands used to produce the 10 different graphics densities, and briefly describes several applications of dot graphics.
When the SQ-2000 produces 8-dot graphics options, it prints with every third nozzle. Each byte of data received controls the nozzles for only one vertical column of dots. This means you have to send the printer more information when printing dot graphics, but it also means that you have full control over what each print nozzle is doing. A byte of data contains eight binary digits, or bits. Each bit controls one of the eight nozzles used for 8-dot graphics.
Assigned nozzle values Usable nozzles Figure 6-2. Values assigned to the print nozzles It is not a coincidence that the values that are assigned to the pins are powers of two. These assigned values are the decimal equivalents of the binary values of the nozzles. This means that each combination of nozzle values produces a unique sum; there is never any doubt about which nozzles are supposed to print. Figure 6-3 shows some examples.
Dots to print Nozzle values ¡ 64 - ¡ 32 - ¡ 16 - ¡ 8-¡ 4- ¡ 2-¡ 1-¡ 128 - Sum of nozzle values 73 255 226 Figure 6-3. Value of thegraphics data byte Syntax of the Graphics Command The SQ-2000 has one command that allows you to use any of the 10 graphics options. The syntax of the command is: “*” s n1 n2 data In this command, s selects the graphics option and n1 and n2 specify the number of bytes of graphic data that follows. The available graphics options are listed in Table 6-1. Table 6-l.
The SQ-2000 uses the formula n1 + n2 X 256 to determine how many bytes of graphics data to expect. To determine the values of n1 and n2, given the number of dot columns of graphics data that you want to send, use the following formulas (where X is the number of columns of graphic data): n1 = X mod 256 and n2 = X\256 (where \ represents integer division) For example, if you wish to send 1632 columns of graphic data, n1 would be 96 and n2 would be 6 (1632 = 96 + 6 X 256).
Figure 6-4. Design sketch and sum of nozzle values Write the assigned values of the nozzles next to your design and then total the values for each column of dots. These totals are the values that will be sent to the printer as graphics data to print the design.
To break the previous design (Figure 6-4) into three lines of 8-dot graphics, triple the number of dots in each column and break the design into what will look like three lines of 8 bits each. For example: the first column of two dots will now be a column of six dots; the second column of three dots will now be a column of nine dots, etc. Next, triple each column for a total of 42 columns.
Now total the values for each column of dots. These totals are the values that are sent to the printer as graphics data for the print design. And here is a new BASIC program to print the design.
Lines 50 and 140 set a FOR-NEXT loop which will include selecting the graphics option and printing the graphics data for each of the three (8-bit) lines. Line 80 assigns the graphics option each time one of the three lines is printed. ASCII 0 assigns S-dot, single-density printing while ASCII decimal 42 tells the printer the design will have 42 columns of data. Lines 90-120 READ and LPRINT the 42 columns of data for each line.
Graphics data bytes First byte Second byte Third byte Print head MSB = Most significant bit LSB = Least significant bit Figure 6-6. Map of 24-dot graphics Figure 6-7 shows the design used for B-dot graphics now adapted for 24-dot graphics. In this adaptation, each dot printed using the B-dot option will be printed as a square of nine dots when using the 24-dot option. Figure 6-7.
Here is the BASIC program adapted for 24-dot graphics.
Figure 6-8 shows the design modified to take advantage of the higher resolution of 24-dot graphics. Notice that the curves are smoother and the edges are less ragged. This illustrates the major advantage of 24-dot graphics. The vertical resolution is approximately three times that of B-dot graphics which means you can produce better-looking graphics. Figure 6-8.
100 ' *** SQ-2000 Plotter Program: 5-Point Star *** 110 ' 120 ' Initialize 130 ' 140 DIM BUFFER%(360,45) A 150 FOR BIT = 0 TO 7 : DOT%(7 - BIT) = 2 BIT : NEXT : Y.SCALE = 20 160 X.SCALE = 20 : Y.FACTOR = 360 / 170 X.FACTOR = 360 / X.SCALE Y.SCALE 180 ESC$ = CHR$(27) : LF$ = CHR$(lO) 190 ' 200 ' Plot curve 210 ' 220 RADIUS1 = 10 : RADIUS2 = 2 230 Xl = 20 : Yl = 10 240 DIFF = (RADIUS1 - RADIUS2) 250 FOR ANGLE = 0 TO 6.3 STEP .
460 BUFFER% (COLUMN, ROW) = BUFFER% (COLUMN, ROW) OR DOT% (I) 470 NEXT COUNT 480 NEXT ANGLE 490 ' 500 ' Print curve 510 ' 520 OPEN "LPT:1" AS #1 : WIDTH #1,255 530 PRINT #1, ESC$ "3" CHR$(24); 540 FOR PRINT.LINE = 0 TO 44 STEP 3 550 PRINT #1, ESC$ "*" CHR$(39) CHR$(104) CHR$(1); 560 FOR COLUMN = 0 TO 359 FOR BYTE = 0 TO 2 570 580 PRINT #1, CHR$ (BUFFER% (COLUMN, PRINT.LINE + BYTE)); NEXT BYTE 590 600 NEXT COLUMN 610 PRINT #1, LF$ 620 NEXT PRINT.LINE 630 PRINT #1, ESC$ "2"; 640 CLOSE #1 : END Figure 6-9.
The program explained here is an overly simplified plotting program. It is not efficient in its use of memory, nor is it very fast. In fact, the BASIC language itself is not very suitable for graphics programs of a very large scale. BASIC is just not fast enough to handle the massive amounts of data required for graphics. But despite its drawbacks, this program contains all the elements required, and BASIC does provide an almost universally understood format for communicating them.
Line 250 starts a loop to calculate the points on the curve. Since BASIC uses radian measure for angles, the value of ANGLE goes from 0 to just over 360 degrees, slightly more than a full circle (to ensure that there is no gap at the end). The step value must be small enough that the curve appears smooth, and not as a series of straight lines. Lines 260 and 270 calculate the X and Y coordinates of each point on the curve (X2 and Y2).
After the entire figure is created in the array in memory it is sent to the printer. Since we are using a 24-dot graphics option the procedure is slightly complicated. The array in memory is structured just as the figure will print: array element 0,0 is the upper left corner, 1,0 is adjacent to it on the right, and 0,l is directly below it. But when we print the array, we must send the array elements in “stacks” of three.
The program uses three nested FOR-NEXT loops to print the graphics image. The first loop starts in line 540. It steps through the horizontal rows of the array BUFFER%( ). The step value is 3 because we print the array three rows at a time. Line 550 selects the triple-density 24-dot graphics option with 360 columns of graphics data. (Remember that we must send 3 bytes of graphics data for each column.
Individual Graphics Options Commands As previously mentioned, Epson printers are upward compatible. Therefore the SQ-2000 responds to commands that are also used with Epson FX and RX series printers. There are four individual graphics options commands that act very much the same as the “*” command, but each one works for only one graphics option. Note that these commands contain one less variable than the “*” command because they don’t need to select a graphics option.
Chapter 7 Using the Hex Dump Feature The SQ-2000 has the ability to print the hexadecimal number of each code that it receives, instead of interpreting the codes as characters and commands as it normally does. This is a great tool for locating problems in programs that work with the printer. The hex dump feature is turned on by holding down both the LF and FF buttons while you turn the printer on. To turn it off simply turn the printer off and back on again.
Review the hex dump for missing codes or codes that have been changed or added to. Typical things to look for include: an (ASCII 0AH) added after the (ASCII 0DH) code, (ASCII 09H) changed into a series of spaces (ASCII 20H), or (ASCII 0CH) changed into a series of (ASCII 0AH) codes. The program illustrated above could, of course, be written in any language that you wish to investigate.
Chapter 8 Programming Hints The SQ-2000 printer can be used with many different computers. However, almost all computers have some built-in quirks that cause problems with the SQ-2000 (or any other printer, for that matter). We’re sure that the computer’s designers would describe these quirks as features, because they typically solve one sort of problem-while creating another.
Apple Computers The Apple II computers present two problems when using them with a printer like the SQ-2000. First, they can only send seven bits of data to the printer, and second, they use the code ASCII 9 for internal initialization of the printer routines. The seven-bit limitation presents the largest problem, but we have two solutions to offer. The easiest, but more expensive, solution is to purchase a printer interface card that addresses all eight bits. Your Epson dealer will help you with this.
TRS-80 Computers The TRS-80 computers are not without their own set of quirks. The TRS-80 Model I computer, for instance, does not correctly send ASCII decimal codes 0, 10, 11, and 12 to printers like the SQ-2000. A quick solution for TRS-80 Model I (and TRS-80 Model III) users to avoid sending ASCII decimal 12 (Form Feed, or ) is to use its high-order counterpart ASCII decimal 140. This is achieved by adding 128 to the problem code (128 + 12 = 140).
The program uses a machine language printer driver routine (line 10), then tells the system where the new driver is located. When you RUN the program, all codes (including those nasty problem codes) are sent directly to the printer. This driver will also work with the TRS-80 Model III with one change in line 10; change 32E837 to D3FB. IBM Personal Computers There are three problems in using the IBM Personal Computer BASIC (version 2.0) to drive a printer.
2. Write a file on diskette and then use the DOS COPY command with the /B option to send it to the printer (i.e. COPY PRNTFILE/B PRN). Open the file for random access or the ASCII decimal 26 may be interpreted as an end-of-file marker. 3. Buy a copy of Compaq DOS 2.1. The BASIC that comes with this operating system has all of the features of IBM-PC BASIC, but doesn’t have the problem with ASCII decimal 26. QX-10 Computers There are two problems for QX-10 computer users.
There is another way of circumventing the ASCII 9. The OUT command sends information directly to the printer without going through the MBASIC operating system. A sample program which performs this OUT routine is shown below. The program is meant to be a subroutine that sends a 9 to the printer whenever it is called.
Appendix A SQ-2000 Command Summary This appendix gives a brief summary of the SQ-2000 commands (control codes). While this is a complete list of the commands, the descriptions are not complete in all cases. The complete descriptions of all the commands, including examples of their use, can be found in the LQ-2500 Programmer’s Manual also available from your Epson dealer.
Vertical Spacing Commands Function: Line feed Format: Symbol 10 Decimal Hexadecimal 0A Remarks: Returns the print head to the left margin and advances the paper one line. Function: One-time n/180-inch line feed Format: Symbol Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “J” 74 4A n n n Remarks: Advances the paper n/180 inches. It does not execute a carriage return (n can range from 0 to 255).
Vertical Spacing Commands (continued) Function: Select l/6-inch line spacing Format: Symbol Decimal Hexadecimal “2” 27 50 1B 32 Remarks: Sets the line spacing for subsequent line feed commands to l/6 inch. Function: Set n/180-inch line spacing Format: Symbol 27 Decimal Hexadecimal 1B “3” 51 33 n n n Remarks: Sets the line spacing for subsequent line feed commands to n/180 inch. l/180 inch is the vertical distance between dots on the SQ-2000 (n can range from 0 to 255).
Vertical Spacing Commands (continued) Function: Form Feed Format: Symbol 12 Decimal Hexadecimal 0C Remarks: Advances the paper to the top of the next page. Function: Set page length by lines Format: Symbol 27 Decimal Hexadecimal 1B “C” 67 43 n n n Remarks: Sets the length of the page to n lines (n can range from 1 to 127).
Vertical Spacing Commands (continued) Function: Cancel bottom margin Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “0” 79 4F Remarks: Sets the bottom margin to 0 lines. The command uses the letter “0”, not the number zero. Function: Vertical tab Format: ASCII Decimal 11 Hexadecimal 0B Remarks: Advances the paper to the next vertical tab position. If no vertical tabs have been set, this code advances the paper one line.
Vertical Spacing Commands (continued) Function: Select a vertical tab channel Format: ASCII Decimal 27 Hexadecimal 1B “/” 47 2F c c c Remarks: This command selects one of the vertical tab channels. Subsequent vertical tab codes will advance the paper to the next vertical tab position in the selected channel (c can range from 0 to 7). Function: Set vertical tabs in tab channels Format: ASCII Decimal 27 Hexadecimal 1B “b” c n1 n2 ... < N U L > 98 c n1 n2 ... 0 62 c n1 n2 ...
Horizontal Spacing Commands Function: Carriage return Format: ASCII Decimal 13 Hexadecimal OD Remarks: Returns the print head to the left margin. If auto-line feed is on, paper is also advanced one line. Function: Set right margin Format: ASCII Decimal 27 Hexadecimal 1B “Q” 81 51 n n n Remarks: Sets a right margin at n character columns of the current character width. The value of n can range from 1 to 255. This command must be sent at the beginning of a line.
Horizontal Spacing Commands (continued) Function: Horizontal tab Format: ASCII Decimal 9 Hexadecimal 09 Remarks: This code advances the print head to the next horizontal tab position. The default tab settings are every eight characters. Function: Set horizontal tabs Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “D” n1 n2 n3 ... < N U L > 68 n1 n2 n3 ... 0 44 n1 n2 n3 ... 00 Remarks: Sets horizontal tabs at positions n1, n2, n3, etc. You can set up to 32 horizontal tab positions.
Horizontal Spacing Commands (continued) Function: Absolute dot position Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “$” 36 24 n1 n1 n1 n2 n2 n2 Remarks: Moves the print head to an absolute horizontal position. The position, in inches, is determined by the formula (n + n2 X 256)/60. The maximum position is 13.6 inches.
Print Style Commands Function: Select print mode Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B "x” 120 n n 78 n Remarks: Selects between the draft mode (n = 0) and the letter quality mode (n = 1). Function: Select print style (Master Select) Format: ASCII 27 Decimal Hexadecimal 1B "1" 33 21 n n n Remarks: Allows you to select multiple print styles (i.e., pica-italicunderlined) with one command. The value of n determines the style selected.
Print Style Commands (continued) Function: Cancel elite width print Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “P” 80 50 Remarks: Cancels elite width print and returns the SQ-2000 to pica width print. Function: Proportional print on/off Format: "P" ASCII 112 Decimal 27 70 Hexadecimal 1B n n n Remarks: This command either selects proportional print (n = 1) or cancels proportional print (n = 0).
Print Style Commands (continued) Function: One-line expanded width print Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 14 1B 0E Remarks: This command selects expanded width print for the remainder of the current line (unless explicitly canceled sooner). This command is the same as . Function: Cancel one-line expanded width print Format: ASCII 20 Decimal Hexadecimal 14 Remarks: This code can be used to cancel one-line expanded width print before the end of the line.
Print Style Commands (continued) Function: Select compressed width print Format: ASCII 15 27 Decimal OF Hexadecimal 1B Function: Cancel compressed width print Format: ASCII 18 Decimal Hexadecimal 12 Function: Select emphasized print Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “E” 69 45 Function: Cancel emphasized print Format: ASCII 27 Decimal Hexadecimal 1B “F” 70 46 Function: Select italic print Format: “4” ASCII 27 52 Decimal 34 Hexadecimal 1B A-13
Print Style Commands (continued) Function: Cancel italic print Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal “5” 53 27 1B 35 Remarks: This command cancels italic printing and returns you to the standard character set. Function: Underline on/off Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal “-" n 45 n 27 1B 2D n Remarks: This command turns underlining on (n = 1) or turns underlining off (n = 0).
Character Set Commands Function: User-defined character set on/off Format: ASCII 27 Decimal Hexadecimal 1B “%” 37 25 n n n Remarks: This command either selects the user-defined character set (n = 1) or cancels the user-defined character set (n = 0). Function: Define user-defined characters Format: ASCII 27 Decimal Hexadecimal 1B “&” 38 26 < N U L > n1 n2 n1 n2 0 00 n1 n2 data data data Remarks: Defines user-defined characters of the currently selected style.
Character Set Commands (continued) Function: Select international character set Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “R” 82 52 n n n Remarks: Selects one of the 11 international character sets. The following table shows the valid values of n and the character sets selected for each. The characters that change in the international character sets are shown below. n Country U.S.A.
Graphics Commands Function: Single-density dot graphics Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “K” 75 4B n1 n1 n1 n2 n2 n2 data data data Remarks: Prints single-density dot graphics at 60 dots per inch. The values of n1 and n2 define the number of bytes of data according to the formula n1 + n2 X 256. Each byte of data controls the print head nozzles in one vertical row of dots. The maximum number of bytes of data is 816.
Graphics Commands (continued) Function: High-speed, double-density dot graphics Format: ASCII Decimal 27 Hexadecimal 1B “Y" 89 59 n1 n1 n1 n2 n2 n2 data data data Remarks: Prints high-speed, double-density dot graphics at 120 dots per inch. The values n1 and n2 define the number of bytes of data according to the formula n1 + n2 x 256. Each byte of data controls the print head nozzles in one vertical row of dots. The maximum number of bytes of data is 1632.
Graphics Commands (continued) Function: Selected density dot graphics Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 27 1B “*" n1 42 2A n1 n1 n2 n2 n2 data data data Remarks: Prints dot graphics in a selected density, and with either 8 nozzles or 24 nozzles. The functions of this command are covered in the LQ-1500 Programmer’s Manual.
Miscellaneous Commands Function: Delete line Format: ASCII 24 Decimal Hexadecimal 18 Remarks: Clears the current line from the printer’s data buffer. Function: Delete character For-n-rat: ASCII 127 Decimal Hexadecimal 7F Remarks: Deletes the character immediately preceding it, unless that character has already been printed. Function: Deselect printer Format: ASCII 19 Decimal Hexadecimal 13 Remarks: Places the SQ-2000 in an off-line state.
Miscellaneous Commands (continued) Function: Select printer Format: ASCII 17 Decimal Hexadecimal 11 Remarks: Returns the SQ-2000 to an on-line state. It enables the printer to receive data again after it has been deactivated by a deselect printer code. This code will not override the ON LINE button.
Miscellaneous Commands (continued) Function: Clear eighth-bit Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal " = " 27 61 1B 3D Remarks: Sets the eighth data bit to 0. Function: Cancel eighth-bit control Format: ASCII 27 Decimal Hexadecimal 1B "#" 35 23 Remarks: Cancels control of the eighth data bit set by either the set eighth-bit or clear eighth-bit commands. Function: Bell Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 7 7 Remarks: Sounds the SQ-2000’s buzzer.
Miscellaneous Commands (continued) Function: Backspace Format: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal 8 8 Remarks: Moves the print head one character to the left. This allows you to overstrike characters. (Note that the print head doesn’t actually move to the left, the SQ-2000 combines the two characters and prints them as one.) Function: Initialize printer Format: “@” ASCII 64 27 Decimal 40 Hexadecimal 1B Remarks: Resets the printer to the power-on state, including top of form.
Miscellaneous Commands (continued) Function: Unidirectional printing on/off Format: ASCII 27 Decimal Hexadecimal 1B “U” 85 55 n n n Remarks: Selects unidirectional printing (n = 1) or returns the printer to bidirectional printing (n = 0).
Appendix B ASCII Code Conversion Chart This chart can be used to convert between the different names for ASCII codes. The codes from 0 to 32 have both decimal and hexadecimal numbers, abbreviations, and the control keys used to type them. The codes above 32 have the character that prints instead of the abbreviation.
Decimal 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 B-2 Hexadecimal 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 2A 2B 2C 2D 2E 2F 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 3A 3B 3C 3D 3E 3F 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E 4F Character ! " # $ % & , ( ) * + ' .
Decimal 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 Hexadecimal Character 7F 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 8A 8B 8C 8D 8E SF Decimal 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 Hexadecimal Character 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 Decimal 161 1
Decimal 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 B-4 Hexadecimal D6 D7 D8 D9 DA DB DC DD DE DF E0 El E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 E8 E9 EA Character V W x Y z [ \ ] ^ ' a b c d e f g h i j Decimal 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 Hexadecimal EB EC ED EE EF FO Fl F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 FA FB FC FD FE FF Character k l m n 0 P q r S t u V W x y z { | } ~
Appendix C Widths of the Proportional Characters This table lists the widths of the SQ-2000’s proportional characters. The values given are in 360ths of an inch (for example: a value of 36 is 36/360-inch). You may need to enter these widths into a special table for your word processing program so that it can calculate the number of proportional characters that will fit on each line. The table shows: the character, its ASCII code (decimal) and lists four widths.
Total width Right-space Body Left-space Figure C-l.
Proportional (normal) (continued) C-3
Proportional (normal) (continued) C-4
Proportional (normal) (continued) C-5
Proportional (superscript/subscript) C-6
Proportional (superscript/subscript) (continued) C-7
Proportional (superscript/subscript) (continued) C-8
Appendix D Setting the DIP Switches The SQ-2000 is provided with two sets, or panels, of dual in-line package (DIP) switches. When these switches are preset, the printer assumes a certain set of conditions each time it is turned on or reset. For instance, if you usually print standard-sized business documents, set the column DIP switches so that the printer always assumes the necessary printing area.
Figure D-1. Location of column DIP switch panel The second set of switches, consisting of two or more groups, is located on the interface card at the back of the printer (see Figure D-2). The number of groups of switches depends on the type of interface you have. Two groups are common to all interfaces and are used to select various features, such as the set of international characters you’ll customarily use. We’ll refer to these switches as the interface DIP switch panels. Figure D-2.
Before You Change the Switch Settings For DIP switch changes to have effect, you must first turn off the printer. Be sure to treat the switches gently. Avoid touching them with your hands. Static charges, dirt and oil from your fingers can harm the switches. The switches are most easily changed with a pointed object such as a small screwdriver or ball point pen. On each switch panel is an arrow and the word ON to indicate the ON position.
Table D-l. Column DIP switch setting for printing area Switch Number of SW-1 SW-2 SW-3 columns* Width (inch) Paper shape and size OFF OFF OFF 65 71/8 B5 vertical OFF OFF ON 75 8¼ A4 horizontal OFF ON OFF 78 8½ US. letter vertical OFF ON ON 80 9½ ON OFF OFF 94 10¼ B4 vertical ON OFF ON 102 11 US.
SW1-1 Set this switch to OFF if you want to use the print buffer. This switch controls the 2K-byte print buffer. When it is OFF the buffer is used. This means information coming into the printer from the computer can be stored in the buffer until it is ready to be processed, permitting the computer to operate more efficiently. When the switch is ON the buffer is disabled. SW1-2 This switch is not used. It should always be OFF. SW1-3 Set this switch to ON to add a line feed.
Interface DIP switch Panel 2 The second interface DIP switch panel has eight switches that select print characteristics when the SQ-2000 is turned on. Most of the functions of these switches are duplicated by software commands. The difference is that the software commands are cancelled when the printer is turned off or reset. Use this panel to set the print conditions you’ll want whenever you turn on the printer.
Table D-4. International character sets Draft Quality Letter Quality Table D-5. DIP switch settings for international characters County SW2-1 SW2-2 SW2-3 ON ON ON U.S.
SW2-4 Set the form length with this switch. ON is 12 inches; OFF is 11 inches. When a form feed character is sent by the computer, the paper moves to the next sheet if the optional cut sheet feeder is attached, or to the top of the next form if the optional tractor unit is being used. Set the switch according to the length of the sheets or forms you are using. The form length can also be changed temporarily under software control.
Appendix E Using the Optional Tractor Unit With the optional tractor unit, your printer can use continuous paper with pin feed holes along the sides. The unit is adjustable so that the continuous paper can be any width from 4 to 15 inches. Printer Location When you use the tractor and continuous paper, you must locate your SQ-2000 so that the paper can flow freely in and out of the printer. Two possible arrangements are shown in Figures E-l and E-2. Figure E-1.
Figure E-2. Continuous paper stacked behind printer Installing the Tractor Unit To install the removable tractor unit, first pull the printer’s friction lever toward the front of the printer. Open the dust cover to provide better access. Then hold the tractor with the gears to the right as shown in Figure E-3. Slip the tractor into the two slots on the printer. In each tractor slot are two pegs that fit into the notches on the tractor fittings.
Installing the Paper Separator Now assemble and install the paper separator as shown in Figure E-4, inserting the separator into the slots on the back of the printer. The separator keeps the paper that is coming out of the printer from being pulled back in. Figure E-4. Paper separator being assembled and installed When you want to use single-sheet paper in your SQ-2000, you can easily remove the tractor unit.
Figure E-S. Tractor release levers Loading Continuous Paper Once you have installed the tractor and separator, the printer is ready to accept continuous paper. To do this you first need to adjust the printer. Check that the DIP switch under the dust cover (SW-4 as described in Appendix D) is in the OFF position. This switch must be off except when the optional cut-sheet feeder is installed. Push back the paper separator so that it’s in a raised position on the back of the printer (see Figure E-6).
Figure E-6, Location of parts for tractor unit The two wheels, or sprockets, on the tractor unit must be moved to match the width of the paper you use. The paper feeds through these sprockets using the holes near the paper’s two side edges. Move the left sprocket by releasing its locking lever. Place the sprocket about a quarter of an inch from its left-most position. Then lock it back.
Figure E-7. Feeding the paper into the printer Next, pull the paper up until the top is above the pin-feed holders. Fit the holes on the left side of the paper over the pins in the left holder and close the cover. Now fit the right side of the paper in the right holder, moving the holder as needed to match the width of the paper. Close the second cover-making sure that the paper has no dips or wrinkles-and lock the right holder in place.
Figure E-8. Top-of-page position When you turn on your SQ-2000 it will remember this top-ofpage position and will use it when any program tells it to move to the top of the next page. If you later find that your word processing or other applications program is putting your printing too high or too low on the page, check to see that your top-of-page setting is correct.
Appendix F Specifications Printing Printing method . . . . . . . . . . . . . On-demand ink-jet, with 24-nozzle print head Printing speed ... . .............. Draft 176 characters per second Letter quality 105 characters per second Character sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 regular, 96 italic, 32 international characters in each of: letter quality, proportional letter quality, and draft styles. Character matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Printer Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Height: 6.5 inches (165mm) 11.7 inches (296mm) with sheet guide 7.5 inches (188mm) with optional tractor unit Width: 24.5 inches (595mm) with knob Depth: 15 inches (383mm) Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 lbs (18kg) (printer only) Power required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Voltage: 120 VAC ± 10% Frequency: 49.5 to 60.5 Hz Power consumption: 60 VA maximum 40 VA typical Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INDEX A Apple II computers 90 eighth bit control 90, A-21 American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) codes, conversion 31, B-l Applications programs 30 ASCII codes 31, 33, B-l Assigning graphics options 85 Automatic line feed D-4 B Backspace 30 BASIC common problems 89 language 33 programming hints 89 . Sound buzzer A-22 Bidirectional printing. See Unidirectional printing. Boldfacing 30 Border designs 64 Bottom margin A-4 . Backspace A-23 Buffer, input D-4 Buzzer 27, D-6 C .
Cleaning 44,46 Code compatibility 31 conversion, ASCII B-l problems 89 Column DIP switch panel D-l, D-3 Column width F-l Command codes format A-l graphics 70, A-17 summary A-l listed by function A-l listed in ASCII order B - l graphics A-17 horizontal spacing A-7 miscellaneous A-20 print style A-10 summary A-l vertical spacing A-2 Communications 31 Compressed width print 38, A-12 cancel A-13 Computers Apple II 90 Epson QX-10 93 IBM 92 TRS-80 91 type 29 Connecting characters 62,65 Connecting printer and comp
D . Select printer A-21 . Cancel compressed width A-13 . Deselect printer A-20 . Cancel one-line expanded print A-12 Debugging programs 87 Default values 28, A-23 Defining characters connecting 62 explanation 53 program example 57 .
E Eighth-bit control cancel A-22 clear A-22 set A-21 Elite print style A-10 cancel 36, A-10 Emphasized print A-13 cancel A-13 Environment, specifications for F-2 Epson printers code compatibility 29 Epson QX-10 computers 93 . *Select one-line expanded print A-12 Select compressed width print A-13 . Set intercharacter space A-8 . “!“. Master Select A-10 “$“. Absolute horizontal tab A-9 “%“.
“Q”. “R”. “S”. “T”. “U”. “V”. “W”. ”x”. “Y”. Set right margin A-7 Select international character set A-16 Select superscripts or subscripts A-14 Cancel superscripts and subscripts A-14 Unidirectional printing on/off A-24 Set data to print repeatedly A-21 Expanded width print on/off A-12 Select print mode A-10 Print high-speed double-density dot graphics A-18 “Z”. Print quadruple-density dot graphics A-18 ”\,,.
H Hexdump 87 Horizontal spacing commands A-17 Horizontal tabs A-8 absolute A-9 problems 93 . Horizontal tab A-8 I IBM Personal Computer 92 Indicators 26 blinking 27 Initialize DIP switch settings D-6 effect on user-defined characters 62 command A-23 conditions 28 sequence 28 Ink cartridge 9, 27, F-2 Ink low 27 Input buffer D-4 Installing ink cartridge 9 interface card 11 paper feed knob 8 single-sheet paper guide 10 Intercharacter space setting. See Characters.
Line spacing types F-l l/6-inch A-3 l/8-inch A-2 n/180-inch A-3 n/60-inch A-2 variable A-2 Loading paper 16, E-4 LQ-1500 User’s Manual A-l M Maintenance 43 Margin bottom A-4 left A-7 right A-7 Master Select command 35, A-10 restrictions 36 values for 36 Matrix, character 52, F-l. See also Character, grids Memory, of printer D-4 Microsoft BASIC 33 Miscellaneous commands A-20 Missing codes 88 dots 47 Mixing print styles 61 Mode selection, draft/letter quality. See draft and letter quality modes.
P Page length setting D-6 setting by inches A-4, D-6 setting by lines A-4 Paper absorbency 18 feeding E-l loading 15 position E-l selection 18 separator E-3 test 18 types F-l Paper-out detector 27 Parts 7 Perforation. See Skip-over-perforation. Pica width print 38, 60 Power requirements 23, F-2 Power-on default values. See Default values. Print buffer D-4 Print head cleaning 44 design 43, 51 motion A-l moving 52 MTBF F-2 Print matrix. See Character matrix.
Printer driver 30 interface card 7 location 6 MTBF F-2 parts 7 requirements 6 self-test 17 type 29 Printing area D-3 continuous D-8 dot-matrix 51 line overflow A-24 method F-l shape D-3 speed D-8, F-l unidirectional A-24 Printing style selection individual commands 33, A-10 Master Select command 35, A-10 on initialization D-6 Printing styles draft 39, A-10 letter quality 40, A-10 proportional 34, 37, A-11, C-l Printing user-defined characters 58 Problems BASIC 89 printer 46 Problem codes using the Hex dump
R Repeat printing A-21 Restrictions, draft style user-defined characters Master Select 36 RAM 58, 61 ROM 58, D-4 S Selecting paper 18 printer location 6 Select printer A-21 Seven-bit systems, limitations 90 Self-test 17 . Compressed width print A-12 Single-sheet paper guide 10 Skip-over-perforation A-4 cancel A-5 SLCT IN signal D-6 . One-line expanded print A-11 Space, between characters. See Characters. Special cleaning 45 Specifications. See Technical specifications. Style selection, character.
U Underline control A-14 Unidirectional printing A-24 one-line A-23 User-defined characters 53 calculating data 53 character matrix 54 control of A-15 copying ROM characters to RAM 58 defining 53 defining connecting characters 62, 65 draft style characters 60 effect of initializing 62 example program 57 letter quality style characters 60 matrix 54 mixing print styles 61 printing 58 proportional style characters 60 range of ASCII codes 56 restrictions on draft style 56, 60 vertically connecting characters 65
Master Select Codes Using SQ-2000 Commands with BASIC Most versions of BASIC use the LPRINT command and the CHR$(n) function to send codes to the printer. In the CHR$(n) function the value n is the number of the code that you want to send to the printer. For example, to set a right margin at column 60, the SQ-2000 command is: “Q” 60 In BASIC it looks like this: LPRINT CHR$(27) “Q” CHR$(60); Control Codes by Function Vertical Spacing Commands produces a line feed.
ASCII Code Conversion Chart Decimal Hexadecimal Abbreviation Control key Control-@ 0 00 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A 18 1C 1D 1E 1F 20 Control-A Control-B Control-C Control-D Control-E Cont
EPSON AMERICA, INC. LIMITED WARRANTY Epson America, Inc. hereby warrants that it will repair or replace, at its option, any part of the Epson product with which this warranty is enclosed which proves defective by reason of improper workmanship and/or material, without charge for parts or labor, for a period of one (1) year.
