GTCO 2500 User Manual

Table of Contents

Commands
Entering Commands
Command Prefix

Entering Commands from the 16-Button Cursor
Entering Commands from the Menu
Enabling and Disabling Command Sources

Command Source Control Commands

Set Command Prefix
Tablet Reset
Enable/Disable Bank Select
Menu – Locate, Erase or Restore
Using the Soft Switches to Control the Menu
Enable/Disable Cursor Commands
Changing the Character Constants 9100 Formats Only

Communication Commands

Enable/Disable Output Port
Set Data Rate
Enable/Disable Echo
Enable/Disable Line Feed
Enable/Disable or Change Prompt Character

Messages and Indicators

Enable/Disable Beep
Messages from the Cursor to the Host
Messages from the Menu to the Host
User 1 and User 2 LEDS
Controlling the Tablet Display LEDS 2500 Unique Command
Set Serial Communications Parameters 2500 Unique Command

Digitizing Commands

Changing the Operating Mode
Operating Mode Commands
Set Increment Value
Resolution

3
4

4
4
5
6

6

6
7
7
8
9
9
10

11

11
12
13
13
14

15

15
16
16
16
17
17

19

19
19
20
21

2500 Series 1

2500 Series 2

Change Format
Move Origin
Enable/Disable Margin Data
Create Window
Aligning Media Using the Window Command
Enable/Disable Non-Proximate Data

Storing and Recalling Setup Parameters

Factory Settings
Baseline Settings
Current Settings
Erase Current Settings from Memory
2000 Series Compatible Command Summary
16-Button Cursor Command Summary
Host and Menu 9100 Series Compatible Command Summary

Basic Program to Check Installation
ASCII Code Chart
2500 Menu Overlay

23
23
24
24
25
26

27

27
27
27
28
29
30
31

36
37
38

2500 Series 3

Commands

The 2500 tablet can accept the command set of the CalComp 2000 series tablets as well as
commands of the standard CalComp 9100 series tablets. There are a few commands
specific to the 2500 tablet.

With these commands, you may override the default operating parameters set in the soft
switches without leaving operating mode. For instance, as drafting projects change, you
may adjust the resolution of the tablet or the number of points per second transmitted to
the host.

You may use any of the following to enter commands:

1. Terminal or host computer

2. Buttons on the 16-button cursor (limited command set)

3. Stylus or cursor, in conjunction with the menu overlay

The commands and command sources may be disabled if they interfere with the host or
software. The 9100 commands, 2000 commands, menu and 16-button cursor commands
may be enabled or disabled by setting the soft switches. They will remain that way until
the switch settings are changed.

NOTES:

 Commands cannot change the settings of the soft switches although they can

override them.

 Some commands may interact with others. You will be advised of the interactions.

 Command sources may not be mixed. For example, a command begun by the host

must be finished by the host, not the tablet menu or 16-button cursor.

 If a space character is required in a command, it will be designated by SP. All other

spaces in the commands are included only to make the command more legible.

 Toggling a command will turn the function off if it was on; it will turn the function on

if it was off. Unless you are certain of the state of the function it is better to specify
ON or OFF.

2500 Series 4

ESC %
a
b
(b)
CR
n

Command prefix, the ESC key followed by the % key
One or more ASCII characters which activate a command
One or more ASCII characters; required parameters of the command
Optional parameters are indicated by parentheses
ASCII carriage return character
Numeric variable

The 2500 commands will be explained in the following order:

1. Commands that control the command sources.

2. Commands that regulate communication between tablet, operator and host.

3. Commands that manage the tablet during a work session.

Entering Commands

Command Prefix

To alert the digitizer that a 9100 compatible or 2500 unique command is coming, the host
must send a COMMAND PREFIX before each command (the 2000 series commands are a
single character). The digitizer will treat all characters between the command prefix and
the next carriage return character as a command. The default command prefix and the
one used in all of the examples in this manual are ESC %.

You may enter the commands from the host keyboard or they may be sent from the host
under the control of a custom digitizing program. A command from the host follows the
general format: ESC % a b (b) CR

The command will take effect immediately after the carriage return is entered.

NOTE: The host must be configured to transmit the commands to the tablet.

Entering Commands from the 16-Button Cursor

The 16-button cursor may be used to send a limited number of commands to the tablet.
The general format of the command is: F F a b (b) E

2500 Series 5

F F
a
b
(b)
N
E

F button pressed twice is the command prefix
Single button code for the command
Any required parameter of the command
Optional parameters
Numeric variable
E button ends the command string with a CR

[a]

[b]
([b])
[n]
[CR]

A function code block or blocks. The contents of one block are indicated
by [] brackets.
Any required parameter of the function, picked out on the ASCII blocks.
Optional parameters
A numeric variable
Carriage Return block, which terminates the command sequence.

The command will take effect as soon as the E button is pressed.

The cursor does not need to be on the tablet surface to send a command, but it must be
enabled. The 4-button cursor cannot be used for cursor commands.

Entering Commands from the Menu

The menu refers to the tablet region dedicated to issuing commands and the Mylar overlay
for that region. The overlay is only an aid for the operator; its position must coincide with
the menu region on the tablet surface. When the menu has been enabled, the menu
region transmits commands or ASCII characters instead of position data.

The four rows of blank blocks may be used to activate a custom menu. If the menu is
enabled, picking these blocks transmits a coordinate pair. The Mode Status character is an
M for MENU, the X-axis data is the block number (1 to 64) and the Y-axis data is not
significant. The block numbers may be used by a custom program as commands. The
blocks are numbered from 1 at the lower left corner to 65 in the upper right corner of the
blank area.

NOTE: The output format must contain a Mode Status character or the software will not
receive an indication that the custom menu is being used.

Menu commands take the general format: [a] [b] [CR]

2500 Series 6

The command will take effect as soon as the Carriage Return block is picked.

NOTE: Picking the [ESC] [%] blocks from the ASCII portion of the menu will not activate any
commands. The command prefix for the menu commands is included in the function code
block represented by [a] and cannot be changed.

Enabling and Disabling Command Sources

The 2500 tablet can accept commands from the host, 16-button cursor, menu or soft
switches. The command sources may be disabled if they interfere with the operation of
the tablet.

The 2000 and 9100 compatible host commands may only be enabled and disabled by the
soft switches.

The 16-button cursor commands may be enabled and disabled by the host commands,
menu commands or soft switch settings. It may disable itself.

The menu may be enabled and disabled by host or soft switch commands. It may disable
itself.

The software switches may be enabled or disabled by a host or menu command. They will
also be enabled by powering the tablet off and on, or pressing the reset button.

Command Source Control Commands

Set Command Prefix

Set Command Prefix changes the default prefix from ESC % to one of your choice. The new
prefiex may be from one to three characters in length; it may use any ASCII characters
except BACKSPACE (08 HEX), CARRIAGE RETURN (0D HEX), RUBOUT (or DEL) (FF HEX) and @
(40 HEX). The new prefix will take effect immediately upon entering the command; the
default prefix ESC % will immediately cease to function.

Host = ESC % S b1 (b2) (b3) CR

Menu = [SET COMD CHAR] [b1] ([b2]) ([b3]) [CR]

Where:

b1
b2
b3

First command prefix character
Second, optional, command prefix character
Third, optional, command prefix character

EXAMPLE:

To change the command prefix to the characters * $ X, enter:

Host = ESC % S * $ X CR

Menu = [SET COMD CHAR] [*] [$] [X] [CR]

2500 Series 7

NOTE: It’s not recommended to use a command prefix that can be accidentally entered if

you bump the keyboard. Use keys that are on opposite ends of the keyboard or a prefix
with an ESC or SHIFT.

Tablet Reset

This command has the same effect as powering the digitizer off and on. The digitizer
reverts to the default operating settings determined by the soft switches. Any commands
stored for power-up use are invoked.

The tablet may also be reset by pressing the reset button located between the transducer
and output ports.

Host = ESC % V R CR

Menu = [SYSTEM FUNC 2] [R] [CR]

Enable/Disable Bank and Select

This command disables or enables the BANK and SELECT blocks. The soft switches will not
be accessible if the blocks are disabled, to prevent them from being altered by the
operator. Power-on or reset cancels this command, enabling the BANK and SELECT blocks
of the user menu.

Host = ESC % V m (b) CR

Menu = [SYSTEM FUNC 2] [m] [b] [CR]

2500 Series 8

If b = 0
If b = 1
If no b is entered

BANK and SELECT blocks are enabled.
BANK and SELECT blocks are disabled.
The condition toggles.

Where b can equal 0 or 1 or no entry:

Menu – Locate, Erase or Restore

The optional menu is never enabled at power-up. You must enable it, specifying its
location. Once the menu has been enabled, you may use the erase and restore commands
to make it appear and disappear from the tablet surface. The menu will reappear where it
was when you erased it; the Mylar overlay may be left in this position, used for the menu
when needed and ignored when not required.

The default menu position is at the lower left corner of the active area. If you enable the
menu without specifying a location, it will appear here.

Host = ESC % V b CR (dpoint)

Menu = [SYSTEM FUNC 2] [b] [CR] [dpoint]

Where b can equal L, M or N.

If b = L, the Menu will be enabled. Its lower left corner will be located under the first point
digitized after the CR has been entered. The bottom edge of the overlay must be aligned
with the X-axis of the tablet and the menu must be right side up with respect to the tablet
logo. Although you cannot enter this command from the menu to enable it, the command
may be used to move the menu to a new location once it has been enabled.

If b = M, the Large Menu will be temporarily erased. The menu region stops sending
commands and begins to output position data. You may digitize past the overlay.

If b = N, the Large Menu will be restored at its previous position.

NOTE: The menu may erase itself, but the command to restore the menu must come from
the host or soft switches.

2500 Series 9

SWITCH 3

SWITCH 4
SWITCH 5

Locates the lower left corner of the menu at the next point picked on
the active area.
Erases the menu from its current location.
Restores the menu at the location from which it was last erased.

If b = 0
If b = 1
If no b is entered

Cursor function commands are disabled.
Cursor function commands are enabled.
The condition toggles.

Using the Soft Switches to Control the Menu

Three of the switches in bank seven are dedicated to a three-choice menu that may be
used to enable, disable or move the larger command menu. Pick BANK and block number
seven and then SETUP to gain access to these switches.

Pick the switch you want. The change will take effect as soon as you select BANK once
more to go back to operating mode.

Enable/Disable Cursor Commands

The 16-button cursor may be used to send commands to the tablet or messages to the
host. This command enables or disables that function without interfering with the use of
the cursor for digitizing. The cursor may disable itself, with the command FF0E, but once
disabled, it must be enabled by a command from the host or menu.

The soft switch settings control whether the cursor commands will be enabled or disabled
at power-up.

Host = ESC % K (b) CR

Menu = [CURSOR FUNC ON/OFF] ([b]) [CR]

Cursor = FF 0 E (disable only)

Where b can equal 0 or 1 or no entry:

2500 Series 10

Position In String

Default Value

Function
Indicated by Character

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13-22
23 thru 28

A
A
I
P
U
R
T
M
X
U
D
U
0-9
A thru F

Tablet status (remains constant)
(unused – for 9100 compatibility only)
Mode status – Increment mode
Mode Status – Point mode
Mode Status – Line mode
Mode Status – Run mode
Mode Status – Track mode
Transducer over menu
Transducer out of proximity
Pen Status – stylus up
Pen Status – stylus down
Cursor Status – all cursor buttons up
Cursor Status – cursor button 0-9 down
Cursor Status – cursor button A thru F

Changing the Character Constants 9100 Formats Only

The tablet transmits ASCII characters to represent Tablet Status, Mode Status, Pen Status
and Cursor Status as well as position data. One or all of these characters may be changed
with this command. The command affects the data output from the digitizer.

After the change is entered, the new character will be transmitted whenever applicable.

For example, if you insert the character “*” in position four, the digitizer will transmit a “*”

as the mode status character when it is in POINT mode.

You do not have to enter all 44 characters; only characters up to the highest position to be
changed need entered. The characters must be posted in the following order:

Host = ESC % G b1 b2 bn CR

Menu = [SET CHAR CONST] [b1] [b2] [bn] [CR]

Where b1: bn = string of ASCII character constants.

2500 Series 11

EXAMPLE:

To change the Run mode character to the new character “&” and leave all others at their

default values, enter the following command:

Host = ESC % G A A I P U & CR

Menu = [SET CHAR CONST] [A] [A] [I] [P] [U] [&] [CR]

The characters that came before (those in lower positions than) the Run mode character
were reassigned their same values; the new Run mode character is the last character
entered. All characters coming later (those in higher positions) remain unchanged.

Send Tablet Size

The tablet sends a coordinate pair representing the distance between the upper right
corner of the tablet and origin. The data represents the distance, in inches or millimeters,
multiplied by the current resolution in lines per inch or millimeter.

Host = ESC % V S CR

Menu = [SYSTEM FUNC 1] [S] [CR]

Communication Commands

The commands that follow are used to control communication between the tablet, host

and operator. They control the host display screen, tablet LED display, cursor LED’s, data

output from the tablet and messages from the large menu to the host.

Enable/Disable Output Port

This command allows you to control output from the RS-232C port. The command affects
only digitizer data output. Incoming commands from the host are not affected.

Host = ESC % a (b) CR

Cursor = FF a (b) E

Menu = [ENABLE/DISABLE I/O PORT A] (b) [CR]

Menu = [ENABLE/DISABLE I/O PORT B] (b) [CR]

2500 Series 12

If a = A
If a = B

Command applies to Port A
Command applies to Port B

If b = 0
If b = 1
If no b is entered

Output port is disabled.
Output port is enabled.
The function will toggle.

Where a for the host or cursor can equal A or B.

Where b can equal 0, 1 or no entry.

NOTE: The 2500 tablet has only one output port. It is enabled or disabled by either
command. This command includes two ports for compatibility with 9100 applications
programs.

Set Data Rate

This command sets the maximum data output rate, which usually becomes significant in

Run or Track mode. The other modes are affected more by the user’s manual digitizing

speed.

The 2000 compatible commands set data rate and operating mode simultaneously.

This command determines the maximum rate at which the tablet will attempt to transmit
coordinate pairs to the host. The maximum usable data rate is also limited by the
selected baud rate. The digitizer may produce more coordinate pairs than can be
physically transmitted over the communications interface. When the digitizer runs faster
than the interface, some data points will be lost. Each time the output port becomes free,
the digitizer outputs the latest pair made available for transmission; previous points
waiting to be transmitted are lost.

Host = ESC % W n CR

Menu = [DATA RATE] [n] [CR]

Cursor = FF 7 n E

Where n can be 0-125.

The maximum usable data rate depends not only on the speed of the interface, but also on
the number of characters in the coordinate pair output format and the number of bits in