Star Micronics SLIP SP298 SERIES Programmer's Manual

SLIP PRINTER

SP298 SERIES

Programmer’s Manual

Trademark acknowledgments

SP298 : Star Micronics Co. Ltd. ESC/POS, TM-295, TM-290 : Seiko Epson Corporation

Notice

• The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.

• All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this manual at the time of printing. However, should any errors be found, STAR would greatly appreciate being informed of them.

• The above notwithstanding, STAR can assume no responsibility for any errors in this manual.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: DIP Switch Settings ................................................................. 1

Accessing the DIP switches ....................................................... 1

Available DIP switch settings (Serial Interface) ........................ 3

Available DIP switch settings (Parallel Interface) ..................... 4

Chapter 2: Memory Switch Settings.......................................................... 5

Chapter 3: Control Panel Operations ....................................................... 6

Indicator lights ........................................................................... 6

Buttons ....................................................................................... 7

Producing a test print ................................................................. 7

Adjusting the dot alignment ....................................................... 7

Hexadecimal dump .................................................................... 9

Errors ....................................................................................... 10

Chapter 4: Interface .................................................................................. 11

Serial Interface ......................................................................... 11

Serial interface pins and signal names ..................................... 12

Pins and Signal Names ............................................................ 12

Interface connections ............................................................... 13

Data protocol ............................................................................ 14

Parallel Interface ...................................................................... 17

Connectors and Signals ............................................................ 17

Chapter 5: Peripheral Unit Driver Circuit ............................................. 19

Modular plug ............................................................................ 19

Drive circuit ............................................................................. 20

Chapter 6: Control Codes ......................................................................... 21

Star Mode Commands ............................................................. 21

ESC/POS Mode Commands (TM-295 emulation) .................. 26

ESC/POS Mode Commands (TM-290 emulation) .................. 28

TM-295 mode emulation cautionary items .............................. 60

Appendix: Character Code Tables ............................................................ 62

Please access the following URL http://www.star-micronics.co.jp/service/sp_sup_e.htm for the lastest revision of the manual.

Chapter 1: DIP Switch Settings

The printer’s DIP switches let you change communications parameters, input buffer size, and emulation. This chapter explains the settings you can make and tells you how to actually change DIP switch settings.

Accessing the DIP switches

The DIP switches are located inside the printer, underneath the document table. Use the following procedure to remove the document table so you can operate the DIP switches.

❏

Make sure that the printer is turned off and unplugged from its wall outlet.

❏

Remove the printer cover.

❏

While using a screwdriver or other similar instrument to press down at the location marked (a) in the illustration below, carefully slide the document table in the direction indicated by the arrow until it is out of the way.

It is not necessary to remove the document table completely, just move it enough so you can get at the DIP switches inside.

Note:

If the document table seems to be getting caught on the rollers, it means that you are not pressing down at point (a) enough. Pressing at point (a) should separate the rollers to the document table can slide freely.

❏

After the document table is opened sufﬁciently, use a thin ﬂat-blade screwdriver or some other similar object to change DIP switch settings.

Note:

See the following section for details on available DIP switch settings.

❏

After making the settings you want, slide the document table back into place while pressing down at point (a). Make sure that the document table is correctly seated in place before releasing point (a).

❏

Replace the printer cover.

OFF

12345678

(For Serial Interface)

(For Parallel Interface)

OFF

12345678910

Available DIP switch settings (Serial Interface)

The following table shows all the possible settings for the DIP switch. The factory default settings are ON for switches 1 through 7 and OFF for switches 8 through 10.

*1: Never set switch 7 to OFF at the same time that switch 8 is set to ON.

Switch Parameter ON OFF

Baud Rate See table below.

2 3 Data Length 8 bits 7 bits 4 Parity Check Disabled Enabled 5 Parity Odd Even 6 Handshake DTR/DSR XON/XOFF 7

Command Emulation See table below.

8 9 Pin 6 (DSR) Reset Signal Enabled Disabled

10 Pin 25 (INIT) Reset Signal Enabled Disabled

Baud Rate Switch 1 Switch 2

1200BPS OFF OFF 2400BPS ON OFF 4800BPS OFF ON 9600BPS ON ON

Command Emulation Switch 7 Switch 8

Star mode ON ON ESC/POS (TM-295) ON OFF ESC/POS (TM-290) OFF OFF

Not used (*1) OFF ON

Available DIP switch settings (Parallel Interface)

The following table shows all the possible settings for the DIP switch. The factory default settings are ON for switches 1 through 7 and OFF for switch 8.

A reset can be performed with pin 31 on the interface by setting DIP switch 1 to ON (the factory default setting). In addition, when a reset can be performed with pin 31, setting DIP switch 2 to OFF sets up the unit to perform a reset when pin 31 and pin 36 are “LOW”.

*1: Never set switch 7 to OFF at the same time that switch 8 is set to ON.

Switch Parameter ON OFF

Pin 31 / Pin 36 Reset Signal See table below.

2 3

Not used (Always ON)

4 5 6 7

Command Emulation See table below.

Reset Signal Switch 1 Switch 2

Pin 31 is enabled. ON ON

Pin 31/Pin 36 are enabled. ON OFF

Disabled OFF ON Disabled OFF OFF

Command Emulation Switch 7 Switch 8

Star mode ON ON ESC/POS (TM-295) ON OFF ESC/POS (TM-290) OFF OFF

Not used (*1) OFF ON

Chapter 2: Memory Switch Settings

Each memory switch is a 16-bit word store in EEPROM. For details on the functions and settings of memory switches, refer to “Chapter 6”.

The table below shows the factory settings for the memory switches.

Warning!

Changing the memory switch settings can cause the printer to fail to operate correctly.

Memory Switch Hexadecimal Code

0 0000 1 0000 2 0000 3 0000 4 0000 5 0000

Chapter 3: Control Panel Operations

The control panel gives you some push-button control over the slip printer operation. It also includes indicator lights, which tell you the current status of the printer at a glance.

Indicator lights

The following table describes the meaning of indicator lights when it is on, off, or flashing.

Indicator Light Off On Flashing

POWER

Power off Power on

Dot Alignment Adjust

Mode

PAPER OUT

Paper inserted No paper Insert paper prompt

RELEASE

Slip paper engaged Slip paper released Mechanical error

FORWARD

POWER RELEASE PAPER

OUT

REVERSE

RELEASE

Buttons

The following table describes the function of the three control buttons of the control panel.

Producing a test print

The following procedure can be used at any time to test the printer.

❏

Turn on the printer and insert a piece of paper (page 6, 11).

❏

Turn off printer power.

❏

While holding down RELEASE , turn printer back on. Keep RELEASE depressed for a few moments until the printer beeps and the printer test print starts.

The printer test will continue until it reaches the end of the paper.

Adjusting the dot alignment

You may never have to use the procedure described in this section, but after you have been using your printer for some time you may find that the dots of some graphics do not align correctly. For example, what should look like:

may come out looking like one of the following:

Button Description

FORWARD

Feeds the slip paper forward, toward the back of the printer. One press feeds one line, holding down performs continuous feed.

REVERSE

Feeds the slip paper back, toward the front of the printer. One press feeds one line, holding down performs continuous feed.

RELEASE

Activates the printer's paper release (the paper is not held in place by the paper feed roller). Clears recoverable errors.

or like this

This is caused when mechanical parts of the printer get out of alignment. This happens only rarely and you may never experience it at all throughout the life of the printer. If you do have problems, use the following procedure to correct it.

❏

Turn on the printer and insert a piece of paper.

❏

Turn off printer power.

❏

While holding down the control panel’s FORWARD and REVERSE buttons, turn the printer back on to enter the Dot Alignment Adjust Mode, which is indicator by a ﬂashing POWER indicator ﬂashes.

Entering the Dot Alignment Adjust Mode causes seven blocks to be printed, each of which indicates a dot alignment setting, as shown below. An asterisk to the left of the blocks indicates which block is currently selected.

❏

Use FORWARD to specify the block that appears to have the best aligned characters. Press FORWARD once to specify the ﬁrst block, twice to specify the second block, and so on up to seven times to specify the se v enth block.

Warning beep will sound if you press FORWARD more than seven times.

❏

After specifying a block, press REVERSE to register your selection and exit the Dot Alignment Adjust Mode.

The dots alignment adjustment setting you selected is stored in printer memory and a pattern is printed using the selected setting followed by the message “Adjust Complete!” The printer ejects the paper after printing is complete.

Note:

You setting is not registered if you turn off printer power before pressing REVERSE to exit the Dot Alignment Adjust Mode. If a paper feed error occurs during this mode, the printer ejects the paper and this mode is cancelled.

Hexadecimal dump

This procedure prints in hexadecimal format all codes (character codes and control codes) that are sent to the printer by the computer. The printer does not execute any control codes (such as 0A - linefeed), it just prints them out. The hexadecimal dump is useful when you are writing programs for printer control.

❏

Turn on the printer and insert a piece of paper.

❏

Turn off printer power.

❏

While holding down the control panel’s FORWARD buttons, turn the printer back on to enter the Hex Dump Mode.

❏

To exit the Hex Dump Mode, turn the printer off.

Note:

The printer will not responde to any commands you send it while it is in the Hex Dump Mode.

Errors

There are three types of errors: recoverable errors that require some action by you before they clear, non-recoverable errors that require servicing by an authorized service provider, and a data receive error. Errors are indicated by and audible buzzer and the indicators.

Recoverable Errors

Non-recoverable Errors

Data Receive Error

This type of error is caused whenever a problem is encountered during data receipt. The method used by the printer to recover from a data receive error depends on the current command mode.

Error Type

Indicators

Recovery

POWER RELEASE PAPER OUT

Paper jam

Flashing

Correct the cause of the problem and then press RELEASE.

Carriage motor lockup Abnormal home position signal Abnormal timing signal

Error Type

Indicators

Recovery

POWER RELEASE PAPER OUT

RAM read/write

Off On On

Turn off the printer, then after waiting a few minutes, turn the printer back on. If the printer does not recover, contact your nearest service provider.

CPU lockup

Command mode Data Receive Error Recover Procedure

Star mode The printer prints a question mark.

ESC/POS mode

Memory switch 4-0=0 : The printer prints a question mark. Memory switch 4-0=1 : The printer discards the received data.

Chapter 4: Interface0

Serial Interface

❏

This chapter provides detailed speciﬁcations for the printer’ s standard serial interface (Connector Type: D-sub 25-pin). Set the transmission parameters with DIP Switch.

Transmission type............Asynchronous serial interface

Baud rate (bps).................1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600

(Selected by DIP switch)

Word format

Start bit:................1

Data bits: ..............7 or 8 (Selected by DIP switch)

Parity:...................Odd, Even, or None

(Selected by DIP switch)

Stop bit:................1

Signal polarities

RS-232C...............Mark = Logic “1” (–3V to –15V)

Space = Logic “0” (+3V to +15V)

Handshaking ....................DTR/DSR or XON/XOFF mode (Selected by DIP

switch)

Input (RXD, DSR, INIT)

Output (DTR, TXD, RTS)

b0 b1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6 (b7)

ABCD

Mark [1]

Space [0]

A: Start bit B: Data bits C: Vertical parity bit D: Stop bit

Printer Host computer

75188 or equivalent

Printer Host computer

Serial interface pins and signal names

Pins and Signal Names

Pin No.

Signal Name

Direction Function

1 FG — Frame ground 2 TXD OUT Transmission data 3 RXD IN Receive data

4 RTS OUT

STAR Mode

When Memory Switch 4-D = 0: Same as DTR signal When Memory Switch 4-D = 1: Always SPACE

ESC/POS Mode

Same as DTR signal 5 N.C. Not connected 6 DSR IN • DIP Switch 9 = OFF

STAR Mode

Status of this signal is not checked.

ESC/POS Mode

In DTR/DSR communication mode when Memory Switch4-5 = 0, indicates whether data

receive from host is enabled or disabled.

Space: Receive enabled

Mark: Receive disabled

This signal is not checked in the X-ON/X-OFF communication mode.

• DIP Switch 9 = ON

This signal used for external reset. Printer is reset whenever signal is in mark state with

pulse width of 1mS or more. 7 SG Signal ground

8 - 1 9 N.C. Not connected

Interface connections

❏

Refer to the interface specifications for the host computer for details on connecting to its interface connector. The following illustration shows a typical connection configuration.

20 DTR OUT Indicates whether data receive from host is enabled or disabled.

DTR/DSR Communication Mode

Space when receive is enabled.

X-On/X-Off Communication Mode

Always space, except during following conditions:

• Period between reset and communication enabled

• During self-test printing and dot alignment adjustment

2 1 - 2 4 N.C. Not connected

25 INIT IN • DIP Switch 10 = OFF

This signal not used.

• DIP Switch 10 = ON

This signal becomes reset signal. Printer is reset whenever signal is in mark state with pulse

width of 1mS or more.

Pin No.

Signal Name

Direction Function

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5

6 7

F-GND TXD RXD RTS

DSR

20 25

S-GND DTR

INIT

Printer side

(D-sub 25 pin)

IBM PC side

3 2 7 8

6 5

1 4

F-GND TXD RXD RTS CTS DSR S-GND DCD DTR

9 pin25 pin

Data protocol

❏

Outline of DTR/DSR mode operations

This communication mode is set when dip switches 1 to 6 are set at ON. The DTR signal shakes hands with the DSR signal (DSR signal: ESC/POS mode only) and performs communications. The DTR signal is assumed as the BUSY signal and then the control for the printer’s data receiving operations are carreied out, and a “space” means that the printer is to receive the data, and a “mark” means that the printer is not to receive the data.

The DTR signal line is set a “space” when the power supply is switched on and no error occurs with the printer. The host confirms that the DTR signal line is set at “space”, and then transmits the text data to the RXD signal line.

The printer sets the DTR signal line at “mark” when the empty area in the data buffer is less that the prescribed number of bytes (*1: nearly full buffer condition.) The host confirms that the DTR signal line is set at “mark” and suspends text data transmission, but it is possible for the printer to continue receiving data for the amount of space remaining in the data buffer’s empty area at this point. If the DTR signal is ignored and data transmitted, the data that exceeds the amount of space available in the empty area will be discarded. The empty area in the data buffer will increase as printing is carried out, and the DTR signal line will be set at “space” if the amount of empty space in the data buffer is more than the prescribed number of bytes (*2: near empty condition.)

In addition to this, the host will confirm that receiving is possible (DSR signal = “space”) and transmit the data only when memory switches 4 and 5 are set at 0 during printer status transmission in the ESC/POS mode’s DTR/DSR communication mode. (With the exception of certain status transmission commands. Also, dip switches 1 to 9 must be at OFF when the DSR signal is

confirmed.) *1 Refer to the nearly full buffer conditions for details on nearly full buffer conditions. *2 Refer to the nearly empty buffer conditions for details on nearly empty buffer

conditions.

RXD

DTR

Data Data Data

Buffer full Buffer empty

Printing

Power ON

❏ Outline of X-ON/X-OFF mode operations

This communication mode is set when dip switches 1 to 6 are set at OFF.

This mode notifies the host of X-0N (DC1) data when receiving is possible

and X-OFF (DC3) data when printing is not possible with the TXD signal.

The timing conditions for the output of X-ON and X-ON in the STAR mode

are set with the 4-C memory switch. When memory switch 4-C = 0 (set when

the unit is shipped from the factory,) only one byte is output by X-ON during

fluctuations from on-line (printer BUSY) to on-line (printer READY), and

only one byte is output by X-OFF during fluctuations from on-line (printer

READY) to on-line (printer BUSY). The same functions as above occur when

in the ESC/POS mode regardless of the 4-C memory switch setting.

When memory switch 4-C = 1, X-ON is output at regular three-second

intervals.

X-ON (DC1 with the control code name and 11H with hexadecimal display)

is output by the TXD signal line when the power supply is switched on and no

error occurs with the printer. The text data is transmitted to the RSD signal line

after the host has received X-ON.

X-OFF (DC3, 13H) is output when the empty area in the data buffer is less that

the prescribed number of bytes (*1: nearly full buffer condition.) Also, if

memory switch 4-C = 1, X-OFF is output for every byte of data received. The

host that receives X-OFF suspends text data transmission, but it is possible for

the printer to continue receiving data for the amount of space remaining in the

data buffer’s empty area at this point. If data that exceeds the amount of space

available in the empty area is transmitted, it will be discarded.

The empty area in the data buffer will increase as printing is carried out, and X-

ON is output if the amount of empty space in the data buffer is more than the

prescribed number of bytes (*2: near empty condition.) *1 Refer to the nearly full buffer conditions for details on nearly full buffer conditions. *2 Refer to the nearly empty buffer conditions for details on nearly empty buffer

conditions.

TXD

RXD

X–ON X–OFF X–ON X–OFF X–ON

Printing

Data Data Data

Nearly full buffer conditions

Nearly empty buffer conditions

Emulation

(DSW8)

Buffer size

(DSW7)

Available area

(during ﬂuctuations)

STAR mode

2K byte

When 256 bytes or less are

available

35 byte

When 16 bytes or less are

available

ESC/POS mode 512/35 bytes

When 10 bytes or more are

available

Emulation

(DSW8)

Buffer size

(DSW7)

Available area

(during ﬂuctuations)

STAR mode

2K byte

When 1792 bytes or less are

available

35 byte

When 20 bytes or less are

available

ESC/POS mode 512/35 bytes

When 20 bytes or more are

available

Parallel Interface Connectors and Signals

Pin No.

Signal Name IN/OUT Function

1 STROBE IN

Signals when data is ready to be read. Signal goes from HIGH to LOW (for at least 0.5 microsec.) when the data is available.

2-9 DATA1-8 IN

These signals provide the information of the ﬁrst to eighth bits of parallel data. Each signal is at HIGH level for a logical 1 and at a LOW level for a logical 0.

10 ACK OUT A 9 microsecond LOW pulse acknowledges receipt of the data.

11 BUSY OUT

When this signal goes to LOW, the printer is ready to accept data. When the printer is in one of the conditions below, “HIGH” is set.

1. Data is being entered

2. Off line

3. Error condition

12 PAPER OUT OUT

This signal indicates the status of the paper sensor. [In Star mode] This signal goes to HIGH when either the TOF or the BOF sensor detects that there is no paper. The signal will go to LOW when both the TOF and BOF sensor detect that there is paper installed. [In the ESC/POS mode] This signal outputs the status of the sensor selected using the <ESC> “c3” command.

13 SELECTED OUT This signal is HIGH when the printer is online.

14-15 N/C Unused

16 SIGNAL GND Signal ground 17 CHASSIS GND Chassis ground, isolated from logic ground 18 LOGIC HIGH 3.9 k

Ω

pull-up

19-30 GND Twisted pair return the signal to ground level.

31 RESET IN

This becomes a reset signal when DIP switch 1 is set to ON. (See page 4 for details.) When this signal goes to LOW (for at least 0.5 microsec.), the printer is reset to its power-on condition.

32 ERROR OUT

This signal is normally HIGH. This signal goes to LOW to signal that the printer

cannot print due to an error condition. 33 EXT GND External ground 34 COMPULSION OUT Compulsion signal (See page 20.) 35 +5VDC 2.2 kΩ pull-up

36 SELECT IN IN

Unused (However, this becomes a reset signal when DIP switch 1 is set to ON

and DIP switch 2 is set to OFF. See page 4 for details.)

Pin No.

Signal Name IN/OUT Function

This connector mates with an Amphenol 57-30360 connector

Parallel interface connector (printer side)

Chapter 5: Peripheral Unit Driver Circuit

This printer is equipped with a circuit for driving peripheral units, such as cash drawers. A 6-pin modular connector for connection of the peripheral unit is located on the back of the printer. To connect to the drive circuit, connect the peripheral unit to the modular connector using a cable supplied by you like that one shown in the figure below.

Important!

Never connect any other type of plug to the peripheral unit connector.

Modular plug

Modular plug: MOLEX 90075-0007, AMP641337, or JAPAN BURNDY B-66-4

Shield

Wire lead

Drive circuit

The recommended drive unit is shown below.

Notes

• Peripheral Units 1 and 2 cannot be driven simultaneously.

• For continuous driving, do not use drive duty greater than 20%.

• When using a serial interface, the compulsion switch status is available as status data. When using a parallel interface, the compulsion switch status can be worked out from the position of the number 34 pin of the interface connector . The switch status is ON when the number 34 pin is at LOW level.

• Minimum resistance for coils L1 and L2 is 24Ω.

• Absolute maximum ratings for diodes D1 and D2 (Ta = 25°C) are: Average Rectiﬁed Current Io = 1A Maximum forward surge current (60Hz, 1-cycle sine wave) I

FSM

= 40A

• Absolute maximum rating for transistors TR1 and TR2 (Ta = 25°C) are: Collector current Ic = 2A Collector loss Pc = 1.2W

7824

F.G

TR1

M-GND

TR2

M-GND

TR3

+5V

+24V

4.7kΩ 1/4W

Frame ground

Printer side User side

Peripheral unit 1

With shield

Peripheral unit 2

Compulsion switch

Drive output: 24V, 1.0A max.

Chapter 6: Control Codes

This printer supports two different command modes: the Star mode and the ESC/POS mode.

The Star mode emulates previous Star printers. The ESC/POS mode emulates the Epson TM-295 or TM-290 slip printer.

This chapter provides you with all of the commands supported by this printer.

Important!

Access the following URL for the latest version of this manual and for updates on supported commands: http://www.star-micronics.co.jp/service/ sp_sup_e.htm

Star Mode Commands

The following tables show the Star mode commands that are supported by this printer.

Character Selection

Control Codes

Hexadecimal

Codes

Function Page

<ESC> “R”

1B 52

Selects the international character set 30

1B 2F 31 1B 2F 01

Selects slash zero 30

1B 2F 30 1B 2F 00

Selects normal zero 30

<ESC> <GS> “t”

1B 1D 74

Selects the character code table 30 <ESC> “M” 1B 4D Selects the 7 × 9 (half dot) font 31 <ESC> “P” 1B 50 Selects the 5 × 9 (2 pulses per dot) font 31 <ESC> “:” 1B 3A Selects the 5 × 9 (3 pulses per dot) font 31 <ESC> <SP>

1B 20

Sets character spacing 31 <SO> 0E Sets the printing magniﬁed double in character width 31 <DC4> 14 Resets the printing magniﬁed in character width 31

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Star Micronics SLIP SP298 SERIES Programmer's Manual

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