Transact Technologies Itherm 280 Users Manual 28 07765C M280i Programmers Guide
2015-02-02
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®
iTherm 280
International Version
Programmer’s Guide
PN 28-07764, Rev C April 2009
This page intentionally left blank
Change History
Rev A Initial Release
Rev B
Added Periodic status back
Added user defined code page description.
Added double byte code page support
Rev C
Revised Page mode section
Added several internal code pages
Added Multi-byte Code page support
28-07764
Rev C
Sept 2007
April 2009
Page 1
Federal Communications Commission Radio
Frequency
Interference Statement
®
The iTherm 280 Printer complies with the limits for a Class A computing device in
accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of FCC rules. These regulations are
designed to minimize radio frequency interference during installation; however, there is
no guarantee that radio or television interference will not occur during any particular
installation. Interference can be determined by turning the equipment off and on while
the radio or television is on. If the printer causes interference to radio or television
reception, try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
1. Reorient the radio or television receiving antenna
2. Relocate the printer with respect to the receiver
3. Plug the printer and receiver into different circuits
If necessary, the user should consult their dealer or an experienced radio/television
technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared
by the Federal Communications Commission helpful: How to Identify and Resolve
Radio/TV Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the US Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Ask for stock number 004-000-00345-4.
Canadian Department of Communications Radio
Interference
Statement
®
The iTherm 280 Printer does not exceed Class A limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
Regulatory Compliance
FCC Class A
ULc
CE Mark
UL 1950
TUV
Page 2
Rev C
28-07764
Disclaimer
NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS RECEIVING THIS DOCUMENT:
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of
TransAct Technologies, Inc. ("TransAct"). This document is the property of and contains
information that is both confidential and proprietary to TransAct. Recipient shall not
disclose any portion of this document to any third party.
TRANSACT DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES INCURRED,
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR
DISCREPANCIES IN THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT.
TransAct cannot guarantee that changes in software and equipment made by other
manufacturers, and referred to in this publication, do not affect the applicability of
information in this publication.
Copyright
© 2007-2009 TransAct Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revision Level C
April 2009
Printed in USA
Trademarks
Some of the product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only
and may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
BANKjet, 50Plus, Insta-Load, Ithaca, "Made to Order. Built to Last", Magnetec, PcOS,
POSjet, PowerPocket, iTherm and TransAct are registered trademarks and Epic 950,
Flex-Zone, imPort, ithaColor, KITCHENjet, Momentum, QDT and TicketBurst are
trademarks of TransAct Technologies, Inc.
28-07764
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Page 3
Table of Contents
Change History ............................................................................................................... 1
Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement ........... 2
Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Statement ....................... 2
Regulatory Compliance ................................................................................................... 2
Disclaimer ....................................................................................................................... 3
Copyright ........................................................................................................................ 3
Trademarks..................................................................................................................... 3
Table of Contents............................................................................................................ 4
Figures............................................................................................................................ 9
Tables ............................................................................................................................. 9
®
Introducing your iTherm 280 Printer ........... 11
About your iTherm® 280 Printer..................................................................................... 13
Who Should Read This Guide? ..................................................................................... 14
What Is Included in This Guide? ................................................................................... 14
Warranty Options .......................................................................................................... 14
Technical and Sales support ......................................................................................... 15
On-line Technical Support ..................................................................................... 15
Telephone Technical Support ................................................................................ 15
Return Materials Authorization and Return Policies ............................................... 16
Service Programs .................................................................................................. 16
Sales Support........................................................................................................ 16
Contact Information ............................................................................................... 16
®
iTherm 280 Specifications and Requirements
...................................................................... 19
iTherm® 280 Specifications and Requirements ............................................................. 21
iTherm® 280 Thermal Printer Models ........................................................................... 21
Standard Features ........................................................................................................ 21
Optional Features ......................................................................................................... 23
General Specifications .................................................................................................. 24
Printing Specifications ........................................................................................... 24
Physical Characteristics ................................................................................................ 24
Dimensions ........................................................................................................... 24
Weight ................................................................................................................... 25
Electrical Characteristics ............................................................................................... 26
Internal AC Powered ............................................................................................. 26
External Powered DC ............................................................................................ 26
Thermal Print Head ....................................................................................................... 26
Media Specifications ..................................................................................................... 27
Receipt Paper ....................................................................................................... 27
Buzzer .......................................................................................................................... 29
Cover Interlock .............................................................................................................. 29
Display Pass Through ................................................................................................... 29
Communications Interface............................................................................................. 30
Parallel Interface ................................................................................................... 30
RS-232 Serial Interface ......................................................................................... 31
USB Interface ........................................................................................................ 31
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28-07764
Ethernet 10-Base-T adapter .................................................................................. 32
802.11b Wireless Interface .................................................................................... 32
Cash Drawer ......................................................................................................... 33
Interface Description ............................................................................................. 33
Cash Drawer Pin Assignments .............................................................................. 33
Vertical Wall Mount Kit Option....................................................................................... 35
Setup Procedures .......................................... 37
Verifying the Configuration ............................................................................................ 39
Verify the Communications Interface Card ............................................................ 39
Changing Interface Cards...................................................................................... 39
Removing the Old Interface Card .......................................................................... 39
Cash Drawer Configuration ................................................................................... 40
Configuring the Cash Drawer Interface.................................................................. 40
Installing Cables............................................................................................................ 41
Connecting power ................................................................................................. 41
Connecting Communications Cables ..................................................................... 42
Verify the Firmware Configuration ......................................................................... 43
Installing Paper ............................................................................................................. 43
Printer Drivers and Printer Controls............................................................................... 44
Definitions for terms you will see in this guide: ...................................................... 44
Getting Started – Questions to Ask ............................................................................... 45
Do you want to use USB and simulate a communication port? .............................. 45
Do you want to use an Ethernet interface and simulate a communication port? .... 45
Are you using OPOS (UnifiedPOS/UPOS)? .......................................................... 46
Do you want to print from a Windows application? ................................................ 46
Windows Printer Driver ................................................................................................. 47
PC Hardware ................................................................................................................ 47
GDI ............................................................................................................................... 47
OPOS driver ................................................................................................................. 48
PC Hardware ................................................................................................................ 48
USB driver .................................................................................................................... 49
Ethernet Virtual Serial driver ......................................................................................... 50
POSPrinter ActiveX Control (POSPrinter OCX)............................................................. 51
PC Hardware ................................................................................................................ 51
Where to get more information .............................................................................. 52
®
How to Operate the iTherm 280 Printer ....... 53
How to Operate the iTherm® 280 Printer ....................................................................... 55
* Button........................................................................................................................ 55
FEED Button ................................................................................................................. 55
Indicator Lights (LED) ................................................................................................... 56
Power Indicator (LED) ........................................................................................... 56
Error Indicator (LED) ............................................................................................. 56
Paper Indicator (LED)............................................................................................ 56
Fault Indicators ............................................................................................................. 56
Testing the Printer Overview ......................................................................................... 58
Using Self-Test, Configuration, and Hex Dump Mode ........................................... 58
Hex-dump Mode.................................................................................................... 60
Level 0 Diagnostics ............................................................................................... 61
Boot Loader Mode ................................................................................................. 61
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Rev C
Page 5
Configuring Your iTherm® 280 Printer ........... 63
Configuration Mode Overview ....................................................................................... 65
Most Frequent Configuration Incompatibilities ....................................................... 65
How to Change Configuration Settings ......................................................................... 65
Entering into Configuration Mode .......................................................................... 65
Using Configuration Mode............................................................................................. 66
Remote Configuration ................................................................................................... 69
Setting up for Color Paper............................................................................................. 69
Custom Color ........................................................................................................ 69
Programming Codes ...................................... 71
Control Codes Overview ............................................................................................... 73
Nomenclature................................................................................................................ 73
Standard Emulation ............................................................................................... 74
IPCL Codes ........................................................................................................... 74
EPOS Emulation ................................................................................................... 74
Axiohm .................................................................................................................. 74
Ithaca® Microline Emulation ................................................................................... 74
Application Development .............................................................................................. 74
Ithaca Control Codes and Commands .......................................................................... 75
PcOS Printer Control Codes.................................................................................. 75
Quick PcOS Reference Chart ................................................................................ 76
Low Level Paper Motion Control............................................................................ 82
Horizontal Motion Control ...................................................................................... 83
Vertical Motion Control .......................................................................................... 85
Feed to Black Dot .................................................................................................. 91
Character Pitch ..................................................................................................... 93
Character Font ...................................................................................................... 96
Character Sets and Code Pages ........................................................................... 98
Double-Byte and Multi-Byte Code Page Description Files ................................... 100
Code page selection............................................................................................ 100
Page Mode .......................................................................................................... 113
Graphic Mode...................................................................................................... 123
Graphics Compression ........................................................................................ 129
User Store (Graphic Save) .................................................................................. 129
User Macros ........................................................................................................ 137
Bar Codes ........................................................................................................... 139
Electronic Journal................................................................................................ 149
Miscellaneous Control ......................................................................................... 161
Remote Power Control ........................................................................................ 169
Documented Extended Control commands ......................................................... 170
Printer Status ...................................................................................................... 171
Inquire Commands .............................................................................................. 172
ESC/POSTM Codes ..................................................................................................... 181
Differences between Epson TM T90 and iTherm® 280 ........................................ 181
Supported TM-T88 Commands ................................................................................... 183
Undocumented TM-T88 Commands ........................................................................... 186
Supported TM-T90 Commands ................................................................................... 187
TM-T88 / TM-T90 and ESC/POSTM Command Descriptions ....................................... 191
Print and Feed Commands ......................................................................................... 191
Line Spacing Commands ............................................................................................ 193
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28-07764
Character Commands ................................................................................................. 193
Panel Button Commands ............................................................................................ 202
Paper Sensor Commands ........................................................................................... 203
Print Position Commands............................................................................................ 205
Bit-Image Commands ................................................................................................. 209
Status Commands ...................................................................................................... 210
Printing Paper Command ............................................................................................ 216
Page Mode ................................................................................................................. 217
Bar Code Commands.................................................................................................. 220
Mechanism Control Commands .................................................................................. 223
Miscellaneous Commands .......................................................................................... 224
Macro Function Commands ........................................................................................ 230
User-defined Images and Graphics Commands .......................................................... 231
Ithaca® Specific iTherm® 280 Commands ................................................................... 236
Panel Button Commands..................................................................................... 236
Paper Out/Low Sensor Commands ..................................................................... 236
iTherm® Citizen Emulation .......................................................................................... 238
iTherm® Star Emulation ............................................................................................... 238
iTherm® Axiohm Emulation ......................................................................................... 238
®
iTherm 280 Color Graphics ......................... 239
Printing Graphics ........................................................................................................ 241
Character Graphics ............................................................................................. 241
APA Graphics...................................................................................................... 244
iTherm® 280 Universal Color Graphics ........................................................................ 247
Print File Graphics ............................................................................................... 248
Store Graphics in the printer: ............................................................................... 249
How universal graphics is done ........................................................................... 250
How to use IPCL commands in text strings ......................................................... 250
Cautions .............................................................................................................. 251
Universal Color Command Descriptions .............................................................. 252
iTherm® 280 Coupon-Cut-Logo Feature ...................................................................... 254
Unicode and Fonts ....................................... 255
Unicode and Fonts ....................................... 257
Fonts........................................................................................................................... 257
Character Generation .......................................................................................... 257
Character Definition............................................................................................. 258
Internal Fonts ...................................................................................................... 260
Character Cache ................................................................................................. 260
Custom Fonts ...................................................................................................... 261
Stacked or Linked fonts ....................................................................................... 261
Font Storage ....................................................................................................... 261
Unicode....................................................................................................................... 262
Unicode Encoding ............................................................................................... 262
Bitmap Fonts ....................................................................................................... 265
File system and the POR.INI file ................................................................................. 268
Font Size and Spacing ................................................................................................ 273
Font Size and Spacing command interactions ..................................................... 274
Legacy Printer Features that Have Changed .............................................................. 280
Dynamic code page definition.............................................................................. 280
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File System .................................................. 281
File System Interface .................................................................................................. 283
File System commands ....................................................................................... 283
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iTherm 280 Extended Printer Control ......... 289
Communications .......................................... 297
Protocol and Print Buffers ........................................................................................... 299
USB ............................................................................................................................ 302
USB Support ....................................................................................................... 302
TCP/IP ........................................................................................................................ 303
Print Server Features Standard Ethernet Connection .......................................... 303
Supported Protocols ............................................................................................ 303
User Interface/Configuration ................................................................................ 303
Other ................................................................................................................... 303
Parallel Port ................................................................................................................ 304
Parallel Port Protocol........................................................................................... 304
Printer Buffer Size ............................................................................................... 305
Parallel Port Inquire and IEEE 1284 .................................................................... 305
Parallel Port Plug and Play .................................................................................. 307
Serial Port ................................................................................................................... 309
Serial Port Protocol ............................................................................................. 309
Print Buffer Flow.................................................................................................. 311
Printer Buffer Size ............................................................................................... 313
Serial Mode Plug and Play .................................................................................. 313
Using DSR .......................................................................................................... 313
Serial Device Identification .................................................................................. 314
Serial Port Inquire................................................................................................ 315
Display Pass Through ................................................................................................. 316
Remote Power Control ................................................................................................ 316
Remote Printer Reset.................................................................................................. 317
Reset in Serial Mode ........................................................................................... 317
Reset in Parallel Mode ........................................................................................ 317
Miscellaneous Communication Features ..................................................................... 318
Power-cycle Recovery......................................................................................... 318
Data Pass-through .............................................................................................. 318
Multi-drop Configuration ...................................................................................... 318
Off-line Active ...................................................................................................... 319
Recovery from Mechanical Errors ............................................................................... 320
Programmer’s Notes ................................................................................................... 321
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Page 8
A: Internal Code Pages................. 323
B - ASCII Code Table .................... 324
C: Unicode Character Addresses ... 325
D: WGL4.0 Character Addresses ... 327
E: GB18030 Character Addresses . 331
F Windows 1252 Latin 1 ............... 338
G: Ordering Supplies .................... 341
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28-07764
Index ........................................................... 343
Figures
Figure 1 Receipt Printing, Tear off Position .................................................................. 28
Figure 2 Cash Drawer Pin Definitions ........................................................................... 33
Figure 3 Cash Drawer Selection.................................................................................... 40
Figure 4 3-pin mini DIN plug.......................................................................................... 42
Figure 5 Windows Print Driver....................................................................................... 47
Figure 6 OPOS or UPOS .............................................................................................. 48
Figure 7 USB Driver ...................................................................................................... 49
Figure 8 Ethernet Virtual Serial Driver ........................................................................... 50
Figure 9 POSPrinter OCX ............................................................................................. 51
Figure 10 Page Mode Entry Orientations .................................................................... 114
Figure 11 Page mode set printable area ..................................................................... 117
Figure 12 Default Page mode printed area.................................................................. 118
Figure 13 Defined Page mode printed area................................................................. 119
Figure 14 Code 39 full 128 character encoding ........................................................... 141
Figure 15 Expanded Function coding .......................................................................... 143
Figure 16 Code 128 encoding values .......................................................................... 144
Figure 17 Example of Character Graphics .................................................................. 241
Figure 18 Example Commands for a Sample Receipt ................................................. 242
Figure 19 Sample Receipt........................................................................................... 243
Figure 20 Receipt with graphics .................................................................................. 247
Figure 21 Typical POS System ................................................................................... 299
Figure 22 Host to Printer Link...................................................................................... 300
Figure 23 Printer Communications Buffer Flow ........................................................... 301
Figure 24 Parallel-port Data Timing............................................................................. 304
Figure 25 Parallel Port ACK Timing Options ............................................................... 305
Figure 26 Serial Port Flow Control Using DTR ............................................................ 309
Figure 27 XON/XOFF Serial Port Flow Control ........................................................... 310
Tables
Table 1 Standard Power Input Requirements................................................................ 26
Table 2 Power Input Requirements with the 24-volt DC Power ..................................... 26
Table 3: Paper Grades-Monochrome ............................................................................ 27
Table 4 Parallel Interface Pin-outs ................................................................................ 30
Table 5 Serial Interface Pin-outs ................................................................................... 31
Table 6 Cash Drawer Pin Assignment........................................................................... 34
Table 7 Serial interface pin out...................................................................................... 42
Table 8 Parallel interface pin out ................................................................................... 42
Table 9 Error Blink Codes ............................................................................................. 57
Table 10 Character Pitch .............................................................................................. 94
Table 11 Inter-character Spacing .................................................................................. 95
Table 12 Language Table ID’s .................................................................................... 101
Table 13 Euro Character Substitution Matrix ............................................................... 103
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Table 14 Paper Sensor Commands ............................................................................ 165
Table 15 Paper Sensor Commands ............................................................................ 166
Table 16 Supported TM-T90 Commands .................................................................... 185
Table 17 Undocumented TM-T90 Commands............................................................. 186
Table 18 Supported EPOS Commands....................................................................... 187
Table 19 Select Character Font Table ......................................................................... 194
Table 20 International Character Sets ......................................................................... 195
Table 21 Character Code Pages ................................................................................. 197
Table 22 Character Code Table .................................................................................. 198
Table 23 Print Modes .................................................................................................. 199
Table 24 Rotation Modes ............................................................................................ 200
Table 25 Paper Sensor Commands ............................................................................ 203
Table 26 Paper Sensor Commands ............................................................................ 204
Table 27 Print Density Selection ................................................................................. 209
Table 28 Automatic Status Back (ASB) Values for ............................................... 210
Table 29 Automatic Status Back (ASB) First Byte (Printer Information)....................... 211
Table 30 Automatic Status Back (ASB) Second Byte (Error Information) .................... 211
Table 31 Automatic Status Back (ASB) Third Byte (Paper Sensor Information) .......... 212
Table 32 Automatic Status Back (ASB) Fourth Byte (Paper Sensor Information) ........ 212
Table 33 Paper Sensor Status ( = 1, 49) ............................................................... 212
Table 34 Drawer Kick-out Connector Status ( = 2, 50) .......................................... 213
Table 35 Values for the Status Function, .............................................................. 213
Table 36 Printer Status ( = 1) ................................................................................ 213
Table 37 Off line Status ( = 2) ............................................................................... 214
Table 38 Error Status ( = 3)................................................................................... 214
Table 39 Paper Roll Sensor Status ( = 4) .............................................................. 214
Table 40 Peripheral Status ( = 0, 48) .................................................................... 215
Table 41 Paper Status ................................................................................................ 215
Table 42 Bar Code System Based on ................................................................. 221
Table 43 Printing Position of HRI Characters .............................................................. 222
Table 44 Font for Human Readable Interpretation (HRI) Characters ........................... 222
Table 45 Horizontal size of the bar code ..................................................................... 222
Table 46 Printer ID ...................................................................................................... 224
Table 47 Type ID ( = 2 or 50) ................................................................................ 224
Table 48 Peripheral Device Bit Definitions .................................................................. 226
Table 49 Macro Control Bit Definitions ........................................................................ 230
Table 50 User-defined Bit-image Resolutions ............................................................. 235
Table 51 Character Pitch ............................................................................................ 279
Table 52 Parallel-port Timing ...................................................................................... 305
Table 53 Paper Ordering Information .......................................................................... 341
Table 54 Cables Ordering Information ........................................................................ 341
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chapter
1
Introducing your iTherm® 280 Printer
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iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
About Your iTherm® 280 Printer
About your iTherm® 280 Printer
The Ithaca iTherm® 280 printer represents the very latest technology for use for thermal
receipt printing for point-of-sale and retail environments. It builds upon the architecture of
Ithaca’s proven thermal printers, together with a host of features specifically designed to
improve the performance of your receipt-printing applications, including:
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Crisp, clear receipt printing in either one or two colors
Fast 8 inches per second print speed
Rugged spill-resistant cover
Large 4-inch paper roll capacity with drop-in loading
Protected internal power supply
Ethernet and USB interfaces
Wireless option for reduced cable clutter
Application-controllable buzzer
Configurable cash drawer functionality
The iTherm® 280 also offers a wide range of programmable features, including color and
font control, APA graphics support, bar codes, and support for over 60 language
character sets. These features let you quickly and easily integrate more layout and
printing options than ever – while giving you the reliability, durability and uptime you
have come to expect from Ithaca printers.
28-07764
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About Your iTherm® 280 Printer
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Who Should Read This Guide?
This document provides information and programming specifications for operators who
will integrate the iTherm® 280 printer into their kitchen operations.
What Is Included in This Guide?
This Programmer’s Guide includes information on the features and programming
interface of the iTherm® 280 printer. It provides the following information to support your
programming and implementation efforts:
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Warranty and technical support information.
Specifications and functionality description.
Programming information, including documentation of low-level and high-level
command interfaces, as well as sample scripts to guide your own implementation
efforts.
We want you to have a trouble-free implementation with your Ithaca printer. For any
issues not covered in this guide, quality technical support is available on-line at
www.transact-tech.com, or by telephone at (607) 257-8901 or (877) 7ithaca. Consult
the following pages for more details about our support services.
Warranty Options
All iTherm® 280 printers come with a standard 24-month standard warranty covering
both parts and labor that starts upon shipment from the factory. An optional extended
warranty, covering both parts and labor for an additional 12 months, may be purchased
separately. For more information concerning the warranty options, please contact the
Sales Department at TransAct’s Ithaca facility. You are responsible for insuring any
product returned for service, and you assume the risk of loss during shipment to Ithaca.
C.O.D. packages are not accepted and warranty repairs are subject to the terms and
conditions as stated on the Ithaca warranty policy.
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iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
About Your iTherm® 280 Printer
Technical and Sales support
Your Ithaca printer is backed by the resources of TransAct Technologies, a global
technology firm with dedicated technical support and sales assistance. Here is how we
can help you:
On-line Technical Support
Our web site at www.transact-tech.com is your on-line portal to obtaining technical
assistance with your Ithaca printer. Click on Ithaca link and then the Technical Support
link to find documentation for your iTherm® 280 printer, including a current copy of this
Programmer’s Guide featuring:
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Command codes and descriptions.
Character fonts.
Printer features.
Communication specifics.
Other utilities available include a font utility, a color converter and a terminal application
for communicating with your printer, as well as the following drivers and utilities:
Windows 95/98/Me Print Driver with Documentation
Windows NT 4.0 2K and XP Print Driver with Documentation
OPOS Drivers with Documentation
Master Character Set Definitions
Part No.
Part No.
Part No.
Part No.
100-9167
100-9170
100-9732
100-9785
Our on-line support site also includes a convenient e-mail assistance request form,
where you can submit support requests 24 hours a day, and receive a return contact
from a TransAct support technician during regular business hours.
Telephone Technical Support
Live telephone support is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern
US time, excluding holidays. We can provide general information about programming for
your iTherm® 280 printer, technical support, documentation, or assistance in sending a
printer for service. To obtain telephone support, call TransAct's Ithaca Facility at (607)
257-8901 and ask for Technical Support. To help us serve you faster, please have the
following information ready when you call:
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The Model Number and Serial Number of the printer.
A list of any other peripheral devices attached to the same port as the printer.
What application software, operating system, and network (if any) you are using.
What happened and what you were doing when the problem occurred.
How you tried to solve the problem.
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About Your iTherm® 280 Printer
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Return Materials Authorization and Return Policies
If the technical support person determines that the printer should be serviced at our
facility, and you want to return the printer for repair, we will issue you the Returned
Materials Authorization (RMA) number that is required before returning the printer.
Repairs are warranted for 90 days from the date of repair or for the balance of the
original warranty period, whichever is greater. Please prepare the printer being returned
for repair as follows:
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Pack the printer to be returned in the original packing material.
Packing material may be purchased from TransAct's Ithaca Facility.
Do not return any accessories unless asked to do so by a support technician.
Write the RMA number clearly on the outside of the box.
Service Programs
TransAct Technologies Incorporated has a full service organization to meet your printer
service and repair requirements. If your printer needs service, please contact your
service provider first. If any problems still persist, you can directly contact the Ithaca
facility’s Technical Support Department at (607) 257-8901 or (877) 7ithaca for a return
authorization. International customers should contact your distributor for services.
TransAct offers the following service programs to meet your needs.
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Extended Warranty.
Depot Repair.
Maintenance Contract.
Internet Support.
Sales Support
To order supplies, receive information about other Ithaca products, or obtain information
about your warranty, contact our Sales Department at the contact telephone or fax
numbers listed below. To receive information on International distribution, visit our web
site at www.transact-tech.com.
Contact Information
TransAct Technologies Incorporated
Ithaca Facility
20 Bomax Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
Telephone
Main fax
Page 16
(877) 7ithaca or (607) 257-8901
(607) 257-8922
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iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Sales fax
Technical Support fax
Web site
28-07764
About Your iTherm® 280 Printer
(607) 257-3868
(607) 257-3911
www.transact-tech.com
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chapter
2
iTherm® 280 Specifications and Requirements
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iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Specifications and Requirements
iTherm® 280 Specifications and Requirements
iTherm® 280 Thermal Printer Models
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iTherm® 280-P: parallel interface printer
iTherm® 280-S: serial interface printer
iTherm® 280-USB: USB interface printer
Standard Features
The following features are common to the entire family of thermal printers:
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Print Speed for text is 8 inches per second (200 mm/sec) (monochrome)
8.0 inches per second paper feed speed
3.15 inch (80 mm.) print zone
44/57 characters per line
Built-in self-ranging External Power supply
Clam-shell paper loading
Single RJ11 cash drawer driver with status (Single RJ12)
Parallel (25 or 36 pin), serial (9 or 25 pin) RS232C, and USB interface
Configurable receiver buffer
Self diagnostics
Set up and configuration utility program
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iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Specifications and Requirements
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CPI selections from 8 to 30 CPI1
Paper Out sensor
Multiple printer emulations: Ithaca PcOS and Epson Extended,
Maximum 8K buffer (adjustable)
2 Megabytes Flash Memory
2 Megabytes RAM
APA and Epson graphics
Bar Codes: Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5, UPC-A, UPCE, EAN-8, EAN-13, EAN-14, PDF417 stacked symbology and Codabar
WGL4.0 Character set.
Metal receipt tear off
8 dots/mm. thermal print head resolution
ON/OFF button located on front of printer
Cable routing strain relief
Power/Error/Paper LEDs
Paper feed button
Cover open button
Settable cash drawer configurations (Ithaca, Epson, or Star)
Spill proof design- vertical main PCB mounting
58 mm. or 80 mm. paper width – factory-settable
4.0 inch (101 mm.) Paper roll diameter
Portrait/landscape printing under Windows
Page mode printing
Cover Open sensor
Electronic journal capability
Internal counters for hours on, cuts, print lines and errors
100 km print head life
60 million print line printer MCBF (excluding knife)
Strong break-away paper cover
1,000,000 cuts cutter life (partial cut)
Buzzer
2 color printing (4 inches per second print speed)
1
Character spacing is adjustable from 1 to 30 CPI. Typical values will be between 8 and 20 CPI
depending on the font selected. Values of 13.3, 14.86, or 17.3 are typical for each resident font.
2
CPI’s greater than 16 will not be supported in NLQ fonts
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Specifications and Requirements
Optional Features
The following options are available on some of the models:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Vertical Wall Mount Kit
Adjustable paper low
OCR TrueType font
Chinese GB18030 Font.
Custom interfaces and emulations
DC powered version through Hosiden type connector
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Specifications and Requirements
General Specifications
Printing Specifications
Printing method:
Vertical/Horizontal dot pitch:
Resolution:
Line feed pitch:
Print zone (maximum)
Print speed (monochrome):
Print Speed (two color):
Number of print elements:
Thermal Sensitive Line Dot System
0.125 mm.
8 dots per mm (203 DPI)
3.2 mm. (.125 inches)
80 mm (3.15 inch)
8 inches per second
4 inches per second
640 dots in-line
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions
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Max Dimensions
Dimensions in
inches
W
6.25
D
8.50
H
5.87
Weight
Approximate weight:
Shipping weight:
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iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Specifications and Requirements
Electrical Characteristics
Internal AC Powered
The iTherm® 280 Printer is designed to be AC self-powered in domestic and
international markets. The printer is equipped with a universal input power supply that is
designed to operate worldwide without modification.
Supply
Voltage
Rating
(VAC)
100-240
Supply
Voltage
Range
(VAC)
90-264
Frequency
(Hz)
Rated Power
(watts)
47 – 63
45
Idle Current
(amps)
.1A @ 120VAC
.05 A @ 240VAC
Table 1 Standard Power Input Requirements
Printing Current
(amps)
1.4 A @ 120VAC
.7 A @ 240VAC
External Powered DC
Optionally, the iTherm® 280 Printer can be operated with 24-volt DC power supplied
from a host terminal or external supply. Connection to this printer version is made via a
three-pin Hosiden type connector.
Supply
Voltage
Rating
(VDC)
24
-5+10%
Supply
Voltage
Range
(VDC)
22.8 –
26.42
Frequency (Hz)
Idle
Current
(amps)
Current (amps)
DC
0.125 A
2.0 A (Cash Drawer Fire)
3.5 A (Printing maximum for < 1 minute)
4.8 A Peak (< 167 msec.)
Table 2 Power Input Requirements with the 24-volt DC Power
The iTherm® 280 can be configured to operate with various power supplies. If a DC
power supply with less capability is used, the printer must be configured for reduced
power and the printer will print slower.
Thermal Print Head
Thermal Print Head Overview:
Number of heat elements:
Heat element pitch:
Print width:
Pulse Life:
Abrasion Life:
Vertical dot pitch
Operating Temperature
Humidity:
640
0.125 mm (8 dots/mm.)
80 mm. +/- 0.2 mm.
100 million pulses
100 km.
0.264 mm (0.0104 inch) or 96 DPI
5-45 degrees C
10-90 % RH (non-condensing)
Operation Precautions:
• Do not print without paper.
• Clean the head with ethyl-alcohol after power is removed from the printer. This will
remove foreign particles or paper dust which may degrade print quality.
• Be sure to set the paper width in the printer’s configuration to agree with the paper
being used (58 or 80 mm width).
2
For DC powered printers, the cash drawer is supplied directly from the DC input supply. The
cash drawer requirements may affect the allowable range of voltages.
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•
Specifications and Requirements
Once narrow paper has been used, some part of the print head always contacts the
platen. If 80 mm. paper is used after setting up and running 58 mm. paper, the head
or the cutter blade may be worn out. Never change the paper width from narrow to
wide (58 to 80 mm.) once you set the paper width to narrow (58 mm.).
Media Specifications
Receipt Paper
Paper feed method
Paper feed pitch
Paper width
Roll diameter
Paper thickness
Roll paper core
Roll footage
Friction feed
Default - 1/8 inch
80 mm: 79.5 +/- 0.5 mm. (3.13 +/- 0.02 inches)
58 mm: 57.5 +/- 0.5 (2.26 +/- 0.02 inches)
101.6 mm. (4.0 inches) Max.
0.06 to 0.09 mm. (.00225 to .0035 inches)
Inside diameter .445 to .635 inches
Outside diameter .730 to .860 inches
400 feet (min.)
Thermal Paper Grades (Monochrome)
Paper
Manufacturer
Basis Weight
Caliper
Image color
Brightness
Activation Temp.
Smoothness (bekk)
Kanzaki P-300
Kanzaki P-310
Appleton Alpha 400-2.3
14.1 lbs.
14.2 lbs.
.00225 mils
.00226 mils
black
Black
85%
85%
Initial: 74+/-5°C
Initial:73 +/-5°C
Effective: 87 +/- 5°C
Effective: 83 +/- 5°C
Optimum: 100 +/- 5°C
Optimum: 88 +/- 5°C
325 sec. Ave.
325 sec.Ave.
Table 3: Paper Grades-Monochrome
14.5 lbs.
.00235 inches
Black
87%
Initial:77.2°C
Optimum: 104.8 +/- 5°C
200 (bekk).
Thermal Paper Grades (color)
Paper
Manufacturer
Kanzaki P-320 RB
Kanzaki P-320 BB
Appleton Dual RB
Appleton Dual BB
Basis Weight
Caliper
Brightness
Image color
Thermal
Response
14.6 lbs.
.00227 mils
87 %
Red/Black:
Initial(Red):80 +/-5°C
Initial(B):98 +/-5°C
Effective(Red): 87 +/- 5°C
Effective(B): 116 +/- 5°C
Optimum(Red):100 +/-5°C
Optimum(B):130 +/-5°C
14.6 lbs.
.00227 mils
87 %
Blue/Black
Initial(Blue):74 +/-5°C
Initial(B):90 +/-5°C
Effective(Blue): 80 +/- 5°C
Effective(B): 120 +/- 5°C
Optimum(Blue):90 +/-5°C
Optimum(B):130 +/-5°C
15.6 lbs.
.00235 mils
89.5 %
Red/Black:
Initial(Red):77.8 +/-5°C
Initial(B):77.8 +/-5°C
Optimum(Red):90.5 +/-5°C
Optimum(B):103.3 +/-5°C
15.6 lbs.
.00235 mils
87.8 %
Blue/Black
Initial(Blue):69.4 +/-5°C
Initial(B):69.4 +/-5°C
Optimum(Blue):82 +/-5°C
Optimum(B):118 +/-5°C
Smoothness
(bekk)
500 sec. ave.
500 sec. ave.
250 sec./min.
250 sec./min.
Table 8: Paper Grades-Color
Paper Usage Precautions:
• The life of the thermal head, when two-color paper is used, is reduced to half of the
life when single-color thermal paper is used.
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iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Specifications and Requirements
•
Use only specified thermal paper. If other paper is used, print quality, head life, and
cutter life may deteriorate.
Paper Out
A receipt paper out sensor is provided as a standard feature. It senses when there is
approximately .5 inches length of paper left on the paper roll.
Paper Low
A receipt paper-low sensor is provided as an optional feature. An operator adjustable
paper-low assembly will be provided to allow the printer to sense when the paper roll
diameter is between .94 to 1.29 inches (approximate). It is adjustable to compensate for
various paper core dimensions.
Paper Low Adjustment Settings
UPPER LIMIT: 2 turns (counter clockwise)
1 turn (counter clockwise)
FACTORY SETTING
1 turn (clockwise)
LOW LIMIT: 2 turns (clockwise)
Approximate Paper Remaining
(in feet)
29’
23’
18'
13'
8.5‘
Paper Roll Diameter
1.29"
1.203"
1.115"
1.028"
.940“
Notes:
• These measurements are approximate. Paper roll used for testing had paper roll
core outside diameter of .750 inches, and inside diameter is .625 inches. Results will
vary depending on core O.D./I.D. dimensions.
• Paper roll core should meet or exceed paper width.
• Results based on thermal paper .0025 inches thick.
• The receipt printable area is as shown in the following diagram.
1.00”
2.83
0.15
3.15
Figure 1 Receipt Printing, Tear off Position
The paper tear off is positioned 1 inch from the last line of print
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Specifications and Requirements
Receipt Printing, Auto Cutter Position
A receipt auto-cutter is a standard feature with all iTherm™ 280 Printers.
Cutter type
Rotary
Media width
3.13 +/- .02 inches (79.5 +/- .5 mm)
Media thickness range
0.0025 to 0.0035 inch
Cut to line of print
0.70 inch
Cutter life
1,000,000 cuts
Partial Cut tab:
.125 inches +/- .0625 inches (right edge of receipt)
Cut time:
Less than 350 milliseconds
Buzzer
A buzzer is provided as a standard feature. It is triggered upon command from the host
terminal to make a sound loud enough to be heard under noisy conditions. It will produce
a sound pressure level of at least 90 dBA, 1 foot from the front of the printer.
Cover Interlock
A paper cover interlock switch is provided as a standard feature. When the paper cover
is open, the printer is off-line, and will not print.
Display Pass Through
The display pass through feature allows a pole display to be interconnected with the
printer. The printer is connected to a host system with a special serial cable. The host
sends serial data to the printer and the printer sends serial data to the pole display. The
printer does not provide power to the display. During normal printer operation, no data is
passed to the display. In pass through mode, all received data is passed on to the
display.
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Specifications and Requirements
Communications Interface
Parallel Interface
Your printer features two parallel interfaces:
•
•
An IEEE 1284-A 25-pin, D-shell connector, with pin-outs that interface to a
standard IBM PC parallel printer interface with a one-to-one cable.
An IEEE 1284-B, which is a standard Centronics 36-pin connector.
Both interface cards provide a dual cash drawer interface. The following table lists
interface signals and corresponding pins.
25-pin Connector
Pin 1
Pins 2-9
Pin 10
Pin 11
Pin 12
Pin 13
Pin 14
Pin 15
Pin 16
Pin 17
Pins 18-25
36-pin Connector Signal
Description
Pin 1
STROBE
Clock data to printer
Pins 2-9
D0 - D7
Data
Pin 10
ACK\
Printer accepted data
Pin 11
BUSY
Printer busy
Pin 12
PE
Paper Out/Status
Pin 13
SLCT
Printer selected
Pin 14
AUTOFD
Autofeed paper
Pin 32
FAULT\
Printer error
Pin 31
INIT\
Initialize printer
Pin 36
SLIN
Select printer
Pin 17
FG
Frame ground
Pin 18
+5V
Peripheral logic high
Pins 16, 19-30
GND
Ground
Table 4 Parallel Interface Pin-outs
Direction
Host to Printer
Host to Printer
Printer to Host
Printer to Host
Printer to Host
Printer to Host
Host to Printer
Printer to Host
Host to Printer
Host to Printer
Printer to Host
Printer to Host
Signal Levels
Voltage levels
Logic levels
Logic one
Driver
Receiver
Logic zero
Driver
Receiver
Current requirements
Logic one
Logic zero
Line termination
Data and control
Strobe
Page 30
0 V and +5 V (nominal)
+2.4 V to +5 V
+2.0 V to +5 V
0 V to +0.4 V
0 V to +0.8 V
Source
Sink 16 ma
0.25 ma at +2.4 V
3.3k ohm to +5 V
1.2k ohm to +5 V
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Specifications and Requirements
RS-232 Serial Interface
Serial Port Features
The serial port features are as follows:
Baud Rates
Bit Patterns
Flow Control
9-pin
Pin 1
Pin 2
Pin 3
Pin 4
Pin 5
Pin 6
Pin 7
Pin 8
Pin 9
300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2K, 38.4K, and 57.6K
8-bit no parity; 8-bit odd; 8-bit even; 7-bit no parity; 7-bit odd; 7-bit even
DTR and XON/XOFF
25-pin
Signal
Pin 8
Pin 3
RX
Pin 2
TX
Pin 20
DTR
Pin 7
GND
Pin 6
DSR
Pin 4
RTS
Pin 5
CTS
Pin 11
Table 5 Serial Interface Pin-outs
Description
Not Connected
Receive Data
Transmit Data
Data Terminal Ready
Signal Ground
Data Set Ready
Request to Send
Clear to Send
Not Connected
Signal Voltage and Current levels
The serial interface meets EIA RS232 interface specifications:
Voltage Levels
Mark = Off =
Space = On =
Max
Min
-3 to –15 Volts
+3 to +15 Volts
+-15 Volts
+- 3 Volts
Because both the host and printer are DTE's (Data Terminal Equipment), they use the
same serial port pin-outs. If the cable that is used to connect the host to the printer is a
pin-to-pin inter-connect, it will not work. Therefore, a null modem or turn-around cable
must be used to interconnect the host and the printer.
Display Pass Through
The display pass through feature allows a pole display to be interconnected with the
printer. The printer is connected to a host system with a special serial cable. The host
sends serial data to the printer and the printer sends serial data to the pole display. The
printer does not provide power to the display. During normal printer operation, no data is
passed to the display. In pass through mode, all received data is passed on to the
display.
USB Interface
The USB interface is a Version 1.1 interface that is Version 2.0 compliant. The standard
USB interface card is implemented through a Standard Series "B" Receptacle as defined
in the USB Specification. The printer is self-powered and does not draw power from the
standard type B USB interface cable.
The Standard USB Type B connector has the following pin functions:
Pin Signal
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Specifications and Requirements
1 Vbus (+5 V dc) (Not used in the iTherm® 280)
2 Minus data
3 Plus data
4 Ground
Note: The standard USB interface does not have enough power to run the
printer.
Ethernet 10-Base-T adapter
An IP addressable 10-Base-T Ethernet adapter is available for the iTherm® 280 printer.
It provides for web page configuration and supports bi-directional RAW and Telnet
interfaces. All protocols are implemented to the extent necessary to support printing
from Windows™ platforms; specific protocols supported include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Line Printer Daemon Protocol (LPR) – RFC1179
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) – RFC1157
Printer MIB – RFC1759
Port 9100 (Raw data)
Service Location Protocol (SLP) – RFC2165
The TFTP Protocol (Revision 2) – RFC1350
Telnet COM Port Control Option – RFC2217
Hypertext Transfer Protocol – HTTP/1.1 – RFC2616
Refer to the 100-05072 Wired Ethernet Programmer’s Guide for features and additional
setup information.
Note: The Ethernet adapter supports only the Ithaca Cash Drawer
interface.
802.11b Wireless Interface
An 802.11b wireless interface is available for the iTherm® 280 printer, allowing wireless
operation of the printer within a specified distance of a base unit. Contact TransAct
technical support for more information on this interface.
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Specifications and Requirements
Cash Drawer
Interface Description
The iTherm® 280 Printer supports a single cash drawer with status. The driver in the
printer is capable of supplying 24 V DC at up to 1.5 amps for up to 250 milliseconds. The
iTherm® 280 Printer defines cash drawer closed as switch open. If the drawer is
disconnected, it will be viewed by the printer as closed. Since the printer does not act on
the cash drawer status, the application can interpret cash drawer status any way it
wants.
Driver connector type (standard)
Driver voltage
Driver current
Pulse duration
Drawer status
Single RJ12 connectors with 24V sink drivers
24 volts (Refer to power supply specification).
1 amp maximum with current limit
250 msec. maximum
Open/close drawer status provided to printer
Cash Drawer Pin Assignments
Ithaca
Epson
Star
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
pin
1
2
3
4
5
6
CD2CD1 Sense
Ground
CD Drive + (+24V)
CD1Not Connected
1
2
3
4
5
6
Not Connected
CD1CD1 Sense
CD Drive + (+24V)
CD2Ground
1
2
3
4
5
6
Not Connected
CD1CD Drive + (+24V)
CD Drive + (+24V)
CD2CD1 Sense
Figure 2 Cash Drawer Pin Definitions
The cash drawer can be configured for one of three configurations; Ithaca, Epson, or
Star. The Main Controller PCB has three (3) six-pin headers, one each configuration.
The cash drawer harness is identical, and is plugged into the appropriate header at time
of factory build. The header position defines the configuration of the cash drawer. This
design allows for changing the cash drawer in the field by a trained technician. Refer to
the markups on the board when determining where the harness should be installed to
work in the three different configurations.
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Specifications and Requirements
Pin Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ithaca
Signal Name
Frame
ground
Drawer kickout drive
signal 1
Drawer
open/close
signal
+24V DC
Drawer kickout drive
signal 2
Signal
Ground
Direction
Output Sink
Drive
Input
Output Sink
Drive
Epson
Signal Name
Drawer kickout drive
signal 2
Drawer
open/close
signal
Signal ground
+24V DC
Drawer kickout drive
signal 1
Frame Ground
Direction
Output Sink
Drive
Input
Output Sink
Drive
Star
Signal Name
Frame
ground
Drawer kickout drive
signal 1
+24V DC
+24V DC
Drawer kickout drive
signal 2
Drawer
Open/Close
signal
Direction
Output
Sink Drive
Output
Input
Table 6 Cash Drawer Pin Assignment
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Specifications and Requirements
Vertical Wall Mount Kit Option
A kit is available as an add-on option that allows the iTherm® 280 printer to be vertically
mounted to a wall. It is comprised of a metal mounting bracket that attaches to the base
of the printer with two M6 thread-cutting screws. Additional hardware is required to
mount the bracket to the wall. The hardware should be installed into wall studs to
ensure that the printer mounting meets the following conditions:
•
•
•
The mounting to the wall must withstand 4 times the printer weight in downward and
outward directions.
The kit must include mounting instructions to explain how to meet the load test
The firewall or the outer housing of the printer is maintained between the controller
PCB and the mounting wall.
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chapter
3
Setup Procedures
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Setup Procedures
Verifying the Configuration
Before you install an iTherm® 280 Printer into your system, you should verify that the printer is
configured as required by your system. There are four parts to this verification process.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Verify that the communications interface card is the correct one.
Verify that the cash drawer interface is configured correctly.
Verify that the power connection is correct.
Verify that the firmware in the printer is configured correctly.
Verify the Communications Interface Card
There are several basic types of interface cards, and each has variations. Make sure your
printer has the correct interface card.
Parallel Interface
• Centronics 36-pin interface
• 25-pin D shell
Serial Interface
• 9-pin D shell interface
• 25-pin D shell interface
USB Interface
• Standard 4-pin
Ethernet 10-Base-T Adapter
• Standard Ethernet port connector
802.11b Wireless Interface
• Wireless interface pre-installed within printer unit
It is easy to distinguish most of the interface cards other than the 25-pin serial and 25-pin
parallel interface cards. To determine what interface is installed, refer to the configuration
receipt shipped with the printer, or enter configuration mode and look at the verification printout.
If a serial interface card is installed, the printout will refer to the RS-232 serial interface. If the
parallel interface card is installed, the printout will refer to the parallel interface.
Changing Interface Cards
The interface card on the iTherm® 280 Printer can be changed in the field.
In most cases, interface cards are interchangeable without altering the printer firmware.
However, you may have to load new firmware and/or a new boot loader before you change the
interface cards. Check with Technical Support for firmware compatibility between interface
cards before ordering.
Removing the Old Interface Card
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Turn over the printer, taking care not to allow the cover to open or the paper to fall.
Disconnect the current communications and cash drawer cables.
If equipped, unsnap the power supply retainer and slide out the power supply.
Disconnect the power supply from the interface card.
Remove the interface retaining screw.
Slide the interface card sideways-towards the power supply pocket-and remove it.
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Setup Procedures
Cash Drawer Configuration
Verify the Cash Drawer Interface
The printer is shipped from the factory with a cash drawer interface label on the bottom of the
printer. You should always verify that the cash drawer you are using matches the printer’s cash
drawer interface label. If there is no cash drawer label, you should remove the communications
interface card and verify the setting. See "Configuring the Cash Drawer Interface" on page 40 .
There are many vendors of cash drawers. If you are unsure what the cash drawer interface is,
contact the cash drawer vendor for more information.
If you find that the cash drawer does not match the printer, you may change the printer's cash
drawer interface configuration. If the cash drawer interface no longer matches the label on the
printer, please remove the label.
Install the new interface card
1. Slide the interface card into the printer. Make sure the interface card sits flush with the
printer. The retaining screws should also line up with the mounting holes.
2. Install the retaining screws.
3. Connect the communications interface card and any cash drawer cables.
4. Turn over the printer, and reconnect the power.
Configuring the Cash Drawer Interface
CD interface drawing not yet available.
Figure 3 Cash Drawer Selection
The cash drawer connector may be connected to one of three internal connectors on the
controller board. To access the internal connector, you must first remove the interface adapter.
Removing the interface card
1. Unplug the printer
2. Turn over the printer. Take care not to allow the cover to open or the paper to fall.
3. Disconnect the current communications and cash drawer cables.
4. Remove the interface retaining screw2.
5. Slide the interface card towards the back of the printer and remove it.
Reconfigure the cash drawer
1. Slide the cash drawer socket out of the slot in the frame.
2. Unplug the socket harness from the main circuit board.
3. Plug the harness into the connector for the desired interface.
4. Reinstall the cash drawer socket into the frame.
Re-Install the interface card
1. Slide the interface card into the printer. Make sure the interface card sits flush with the
printer. The retaining screws should also line up with the mounting holes.
2. Install the retaining screws.
3. Connect the communications interface card and any cash drawer cables.
4. Turn over the printer, and reconnect the power.
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Setup Procedures
Installing Cables
Three cables are required to be connected to the printer.
1. Power
2. Communications
3. Cash Drawer
Connecting power
The iTherm® 280 Printer is generally supplied with a built-in power supply. As an option, the
printer is available without a power supply.
Internal Supply
The internal supply connects to an outside power source with a standard two wire power cord.
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Setup Procedures
External Supply
If an external supply is used a 3 pin mini DIN plug is provided for the external 24 Volt supply.
Earth Ground
+24 Vo lt Supply
Ground (+24 V dc)
Figure 4 3-pin mini DIN plug
Connecting Communications Cables
The iTherm® 280 has a number of different communications interfaces.
Serial
The serial interface connector is either a 9-pin or 25-pin mail D shell interface. The pin-out is
shown below
9-pin
Pin 2
Pin 3
Pin 4
Pin 5
Pin 6
Pin 7
Pin 8
25-pin
Pin 3
Pin 2
Pin 20
Pin 7
Pin 6
Pin 4
Pin 5
Signal
Description
RX
Receive Data
TX
Transmit Data
DTR
Data Terminal Ready
GND
Signal Ground
DSR
Data Set Ready
RTS
Request to Send
CTS
Clear to Send
Table 7 Serial interface pin out
Parallel
The parallel interface connection is very similar to the serial interface connection. It can be a
36-pin Centronics (IEEE 1284-B) or a 25-Pin female D-Shell (IEEE 1284-A) connector. The pinout of both connectors are shown below
25-pin
Connector
Pin 1
Pins 2-9
Pin 10
Pin 11
Pin 12
Pin 13
Pin 14
Pin 15
Pin 16
Pin 17
Pins 18-25
Page 42
36-pin
Connector
Pin 1
Pins 2-9
Pin 10
Pin 11
Pin 12
Pin 13
Pin 14
Pin 32
Pin 31
Pin 36
Pin 17
Pin 18
Pins 16, 19-30
Signal
Description
STROBE
Clock data to printer
D0 - D7
Data
ACK\
Printer accepted data
BUSY
Printer busy
PE
Paper Out/Status
SLCT
Printer selected
AUTOFD
Auto-feed paper
FAULT\
Printer error
INIT\
Initialize printer
SLIN
Select printer
FG
Frame ground
+5V
Peripheral logic high
GND
Ground
Table 8 Parallel interface pin out
Rev C
Direction
Host to Printer
Host to Printer
Printer to Host
Printer to Host
Printer to Host
Printer to Host
Host to Printer
Printer to Host
Host to Printer
Host to Printer
Printer to Host
Printer to Host
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Setup Procedures
USB
The USB connector can be one of two types: a standard Type B connector, as in commonly
used in the PC industry, or a POS Powered USB connector. In the case of the powered USB
connector, there are a number of different versions. Make sure you are using a 24 volt DC
version, and the 24 volt supply meets the requirements of the iTherm® 280 printer and any cash
drawer that is connected to the printer.
A powered USB interface is a special order option. There are several standards for the power
interface. Make sure that you inform TransAct is aware of what interface you require, and that
that interface connector is supported by the iTherm® 280.
Verify the Firmware Configuration
An example receipt is Included in the box your printer shipped in that will show how the printer
was configured before it shipped from our Ithaca facility. Compare this information to your
system requirements. Pay attention to the emulation and the communications link. If they are
wrong, the printer may appear inoperative. If the configuration is not correct, refer to the section
on changing the iTherm® 280 configuration. If there are a number of printers to be installed and
you want the identical configuration in each, you can use the universal configuration program to
record the configuration on one printer, and replicate it over a group. The configuration program
is available from Transact technical support.
Installing Paper
It is easy to install paper in the iTherm® 280.
1. Open the paper cover by grasping the green cover release between your thumb and
forefinger, and squeeze the release. This will pop the cover up.
2. Open the cover and install a roll of paper with the paper coming off of the bottom of the
roll.
3. Lay the paper tail over the front of the printer and center it over the paper path.
4. Close the cover. When the cover is closed, the printer will feed several inches of paper
to make sure the paper is aligned in the printer. If equipped with a cutter, the printer will
automatically cut the paper tail and the printer is now ready to print. If the printer is not
equipped with a cutter, the operator should remove the paper tail.
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Printer Drivers and Printer Controls
Definitions for terms you will see in this guide:
OS – The Operating System, which is the operating software underlying a computer
system. Examples of OS’s include Microsoft Windows® (9x/Me/2000/XP), Linux, Unix,
and OS2.
Application - A software program that a person uses to perform a function, such as a
point of sale (POS) application. Also referred to as a program.
Driver - Software that makes hardware do something (something useful, we hope!). A
driver translates (or converts) a software command to a command that specific hardware
can understand. Types of drivers include printer drivers, port drivers, OPOS drivers, and
USB drivers.
OCX/ActiveX - a software component that utilizes Microsoft’s OLE (Object linking and
embedding).
API - Application Programming Interface, or the language used to develop applications
for devices such as printers. In the generic sense, the term “the API” refers to the
Windows Operating System API. Types of APIs include Windows API, Visual Basic API,
Delphi API, and MFC API.
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Getting Started – Questions to Ask
Most driver software for TransAct Technologies printers fall into one of three main
categories:
•
They support or emulate a specific type of communications port – for example, a
USB port driver, or a driver to emulate a serial port via an Ethernet interface.
•
They support the industry standard OPOS (OLE Point of Sale) interface for point of
sale printer applications.
•
They support a direct printer interface, such as the Windows printer API or low-level
printer commands.
The questions below can help clarify which types of drivers may be appropriate for your
printer. The following section then examines each of the most common types of driver
software in detail.
Do you want to use USB and simulate a
communication port?
The TransAct Virtual Serial (TVS) USB Driver allows your application to think that it is
communicating with a serial port, but is actually using the USB link to communicate with
the printer. This driver should be downloaded and installed when requested as part of
the Windows Plug and Play process, or may be preinstalled.
Some of TransAct Technologies printers support a composite USB interface. This
interface allows a Windows print driver to be installed to a windows USB printer port as
well as supporting a virtual serial port. In some cases the printer USB port is
configurable, and either the windows printer port or the virtual serial port may be
disabled. If you will be using OPOS, you should disable the Windows printer interface.
If you are going to use only the Windows printer API, you can but do not need to disable
the virtual serial interface.
Do you want to use an Ethernet interface and simulate
a communication port?
The TransAct Ethernet Virtual Serial (VSerial) Driver allows your application to think that
it is communicating with a serial port, but is actually using the Ethernet link to
communicate with the printer. This driver should be downloaded and installed when
required. There is currently no reliable Windows Plug and Play protocol for Ethernet
devices.
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Are you using OPOS (UnifiedPOS/UPOS)?
If you are using an application that is written to interface with the OPOS (OLE Point of
Sale) standard, then the TransAct Technologies OPOS driver will allow you to
communicate with most TransAct Technologies printers. The OPOS driver provides the
mechanisms to print in all of the print modes supported by the printer.
Note: The TransAct Technologies OPOS driver only supports Microsoft Windows
operating systems.
Note: If you are using a USB printer, you will also need to install the TransAct
Technologies Virtual Serial (TVS) driver.
Note: If you are using an Ethernet printer, UPOS can be configured to interact directly
with the printer. In this case, you do not need the VSerial Ethernet driver.
Do you want to print from a Windows application?
Microsoft supports a Windows Printing API for Windows applications. This interface is
intended to support typical Windows page printers, and has features such as begin
document, end document, and tray selection. While this is not an ideal environment for a
POS printer, there are cases where such functionality is required.
To support this environment TransAct Technologies provides a Windows print driver with
extensions for POS, which may be downloaded and installed for most TransAct
Technologies printers.
Please read the Ithaca Printer API documentation included with the driver. A POS
printer is not the same as a typical consumer printer and requires unique consideration
when using a Windows printer API interface.
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Windows Printer Driver
A Windows printer driver is a specific type of driver defined by Microsoft that the OS
uses to translate drawing commands by a Windows application to a specific printer’s
command set. A standard Windows printer driver is a graphics page mode driver, and is
not a POS (point of sale) driver. (Have you ever had to open a cash drawer that was
connected to your printer at home?)
PC Hardware
Window’s Operating System
Windows Print
Application
Printer
Driver
GDI
Graphics
Device
Interface
Port
Hardware
Port
Driver
Serial
Serial
OR
Parallel
OR
Parallel
Part of the
Windows
API
Printer
Driver
OR
USB bus.
OR
USB
OR
Other
OR
Other
Figure 5 Windows Print Driver
When to use a windows printer driver:
Use a printer driver when writing a program that uses the Windows API to send print
information to the printer.
When not to use a windows printer driver:
When a program wants to send printer command codes to the printer, or when a
program wants to get information back from a printer.
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OPOS driver
An OPOS driver is an implementation of the UnifiedPOS (UPOS) specification.
It provides an application interface for retail devices such as a POS printer, scanner,
cash drawer, pole display, MICR, scale, or others.
PC Hardware
Window’s Operating System
POS Application
OPOS POSPrinter Driver
(Service)
OPOS Printer
Control (ActiveX)
OPOS
Drawer
(Service)
OPOS Cash
Drawer Control
(ActiveX)
Cash
Driver
Port
Driver
Port
Hardware
Serial
Serial
OR
Parallel
OR
Parallel
OR
USB
OR
USB bus.
OR
Other
OR
Other
Figure 6 OPOS or UPOS
When to use an OPOS driver:
When an application is written that invokes the retail device functions based on the
UPOS specification, in a vendor independent manner, OPOS can be used on the
Microsoft Windows platform. It allows access to all the features of a retail device without
having to deal with specific device commands. It also allows information to be retrieved
from the retail device.
When not to use an OPOS driver:
When the application is written using the Windows print API, and device specific
commands are sent directly through the application to the device.
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USB driver
A USB driver is a low level device driver, required for USB communication with the
printers. It is a Windows Plug and Play driver and needs to be installed for USB printers,
when the printer is initially plugged into the system.
Window’s Operating System
OPOS
Driver
USB Interface
USB
Driver
USB
PRINTER
USB Interface
Windows
Driver
Windows
Print App.
USB Interface
Figure 7 USB Driver
When to use the USB driver:
A USB driver is needed whenever data is to be sent to or received from the printer using
the USB interface. It is needed with both the Windows and the OPOS drivers, when
these drivers use the USB interface as the underlying communication path. It is also
needed if the application does not use either the OPOS or the Windows driver, but
needs to communicate directly with the printer using the USB interface.
When not to use the USB driver:
A USB driver is not needed if the application uses any of the other forms of
communication such as serial, parallel, or Ethernet, and does not use USB.
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Ethernet Virtual Serial driver
A VSerial driver is a low level device driver, which appears to Windows and your
application as a serial com port. However, all of the data sent to and received from the
serial com port actually comes from the Ethernet printer.
Window’s Operating System
User
Application
Driver
Virtual Serial
Link
Virtual
Driver
Ethernet
Printer
With Print
Server
Figure 8 Ethernet Virtual Serial Driver
When to use the Ethernet Virtual Serial driver:
An Ethernet Virtual Serial Driver is needed whenever data is to be sent to or received
from the printer using the Ethernet interface, but needs to appear to the application as a
serial port.
When not to use the Ethernet Virtual Serial driver:
An Ethernet Virtual Serial driver is not needed if the application is able to directly interact
with an Ethernet printer using TCP/IP Protocol.
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POSPrinter ActiveX Control (POSPrinter OCX)
This is not a driver; but rather a software component that provides a connection from an
application to a port driver. This allows an application to communicate “directly” with a
printer. This approach allows an application to send commands to the printer if desired,
similar to the legacy DOS approach once used to communicate with a POS printer.
PC Hardware
Window’s Operating System
POS Application
POSPrinter.ocx
ActiveX Control
Printer
Driver
Port
Driver
Port
Hardware
Serial
OR
Parallel
OR
USB
OR
Eternet
OR
Other
Serial
OR
Parallel
OR
USB bus.
OR
Ethernet
OR
Other
Figure 9 POSPrinter OCX
When to use the POSPrinter OCX:
When the application writer wants complete control of what is sent to the printer. The
application must take the responsibility of sending the correct codes to the printer as well
as detecting error conditions, and graceful recovery from error situations.
When not to use the POSPrinter OCX:
When you do not want to deal with the low-level commands sent to the printer.
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Where to get more information
Additional information about Driver and support programs are available for your Transact
Sales representative, from
Transact customer support or from the TransAct Technologies Web site.
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How to Operate the iTherm® 280 Printer
Your iTherm® 280 printer contains two buttons and three (LED) indicator lights. In
addition to power control and feeding paper, these two buttons can be used to perform
functions like self-testing, clearing errors and printer configuration. They are:
* BUTTON
FEED
This is the standby or power down button, located on front face of the
printer’s cabinet
Located on bottom portion of printer’s keypad
* Button
The iTherm® 280 has been designed to remain connected to a power source at all times.
The * button on the iTherm® 280 Printer does not completely remove power from the
printer. Because of this, the * button is used to alternately switch the printer between
OFF and ON modes. The * button does not disconnect power to the printer. The printer
is truly off only when the AC power supply is disconnected. You will notice that none of
the indicator lights will be on when the printer is in OFF. When the printer enters ON
mode, the green power indicator light will be activated. The operational state of the
iTherm® 280 can be determined by looking at the Power Indicator Light (LED).
When the * button is pressed or the power down command is received, the iTherm® 280
Printer enters an OFF low power mode. The printer is not completely off, but is in
Standby mode 3.
Standby mode is remembered even if the power is removed. Whenever power is turned
back on, the printer starts, performs Level 0 diagnostics, and re-enters Standby mode.
FEED Button
The FEED button feeds paper through the printer. By pressing the FEED button
momentarily, the paper will be fed one line at a time. Pressing and holding the FEED
button will make the printer feed paper continuously until the button is released.
3
The printer draws about four watts of power in Standby.
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Indicator Lights (LED)
The three iTherm® 280 indicator lights are:
•
•
•
Power LED
Error LED
Paper LED
Indicates printer activity and non-recoverable errors
Indicates problems and probability of recovery
Indicates paper status (paper low)
Power Indicator (LED)
The power indicator lets the user know that the printer is ON. If the POWER indicator
blinks in conjunction with the ERROR indicator, the printer is experiencing a nonrecoverable error: see the fault indicators discussed below. If the POWER indicator blinks
and there is no error indicator blinking, the printer is being held in reset by the host.
Error Indicator (LED)
The ERROR indicator lets the user know that the printer is experiencing a problem. If the
POWER indicator is lit (not blinking), the error is generally recoverable without data loss.
If the POWER indicator is blinking, a non-recoverable error has occurred: see the fault
indicators below. If the error is not operator recoverable, a power cycle may correct the
problem. If a power cycle does not correct the fault, the printer must be serviced.
Paper Indicator (LED)
The PAPER indicator signals the paper status. If the printer is equipped with a paper low
option, the PAPER indicator will blink when the paper is low. The low sensor is adjustable,
and the amount of paper remaining is dependent on the adjustment. If the PAPER
indicator is lit with the error indicator, the printer is out of paper: in this case, the printer
stops printing and waits for the paper to be changed.
Fault Indicators
The ERROR indicator is the primary fault indicator, and is either always on or blinking if a
fault has occurred. There are three types of faults:
Fully-recoverable faults
Semi-recoverable faults
Non-recoverable faults
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Head jam
Component failure
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Fully-recoverable and Status
A fully-recoverable error will restart printing exactly where it stopped when the error
occurred. Printing will resume after error has been properly addressed. A status
recoverable error is very similar to a fully-recoverable error. Additionally, status is used
to display when the printer consumables may need replacing.
Semi-recoverable
A semi-recoverable error is determined by whether or not the printer has to be shut off
and turned back on while attending to the problem. The amount of information lost is
dependent on the type of error and the state of the information being processed.
Non-recoverable
A non-recoverable error produces information loss.
Error Blink Codes
If during normal operation, the ERROR indicator is lit and the POWER indicator is blinking,
a minor error occurred. The POWER indicator shows the error by blinking a pattern.
Cycling the power restarts the printer. Blink patterns are defined as follows.
1 Blink
__¦__________________¦______
(1 blink, pause)
2 Blink
__¦__¦_______________¦__¦___
(2 blinks, pause)
3 Blink
__¦__¦__¦____________¦__¦__¦_
(3 blinks pause)
A similar pattern is followed for other blink counts. Error indications are as follows:
Error Indicated
Unused
Configuration Read
Configuration Write
Software Error
Auto Cutter Error
Unused
User Store Format Error
Electronic Journal Format Error
Flash Operation Error
Internal Memory Error
Communication Adapter Error
Operating System Error
Table 9 Error Blink Codes
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Blink Count
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
12
14
15
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Testing the Printer Overview
Using Self-Test, Configuration, and Hex Dump Mode
Self-Test Mode allows you to perform a series of tests to show if the printer is functioning
correctly. Self-Test Mode also allows you to print a summary of how your iTherm® 280 is
currently configured. Use this printout to compare your printer’s settings to your system’s
requirements. Specific attention should be given to emulation and communications
settings. For serial printers, the baud rate and other RS-232 interface settings are
important. If there is a configuration problem, you should use Configuration Mode to
make any changes necessary.
Entering Self-Test, and Configuration mode
To enter self test and or configuration mode, perform the following sequence of
operations:
1. Press and release the * button to turn the printer OFF. (The power indicator light
will be off.)
2. Press and hold the Feed button.
3. While holding the Feed button, press and release the * button.
4. When the red, error indicator light blinks, release the Feed button
5. Follow the directions printed on the receipt to cycle through and select the
desired TEST option.
The iTherm® 280 has a total of seven Self-Test and or configuration options. Two are
designed to be useful when performing on-site print evaluations. One option allows the
printers electronic journal to be maintained, one allows the printers configuration to be
changed, and two are designed for factory setup by TransAct.
Testing the printer
Use the following two TEST options when verifying basic printer operation.
TEST-Receipt
The receipt test is the primary test option to use when determining if the printer is
functioning correctly.
The receipt test is mostly used during the early stages of troubleshooting, to eliminate
the possibility that the problem is occurring with the printer. If the printer experiences a
failure, and the error indicator light is activated, call TransAct’s Ithaca Facility’s Technical
Support Department.
TEST-Head Test
This test performs a test pattern that will print all the head print elements and verify that
the drive roll is free from defects. The print head has two heating elements per dot
position. A print element is not considered bad unless both elements are missing. If the
head test shows that there is an inconsistency in the drive roll it may be debris or a void.
If debris is indicated, cleaning the drive roll should correct the problem. If this does not
correct the problem, contact TransAct’s Ithaca Facility’s Technical Support Department.
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Maintaining the Electronic Journal
The iTherm® 280 has an electronic journal option. It is possible to configure the printer
with a journal station. This selection allows the information saved in the electronic journal
to be printed and maintained by the operator.
Operation of this mode will be described later in the manual under Electronic Journal
Operation.
It the Electronic Journal is unintentionally initialized, it may be deactivated by this option
as well. If the Electronic Journal is password protected, the manual Electronic Journal
option will be disabled.
Configuring Options
The configuration option allows the configuration of the printer to be printed and, if
necessary, changed. When configuration mode is entered, the current configuration, the
Current User store status, and the current totals are printed. If any printer errors have
occurred, a hardware and software error log may also be printed. At the end of the print
out are instructions on how to use configuration mode. Please read these instructions
carefully, as they are not the same as Self-Test. You may exit configuration mode at
any time, without affecting the printer configuration, by pressing the power button.
TEST- Configuration
The content of the configurable features will alter based on the hardware installed.
There will be at least three groups of options:
1. Emulation
2. Communications
3. General Options
Under emulation the instruction set or emulation of the printer may be changed.
Available options will depend on the model of printer, however Ithaca PcOS is always
available. Other options may be Epson TM88, TM90, Microline, and Ithaca M50.
Under Communications, the way the printer deals with the communications port can be
adjusted. The printer will only show communications options that deal with the
communications adapter installed.
Under General Options, all other configurable features of the printer can be adjusted.
The default language, paper options, electronic Journal features, and print defaults may
be set.
Details of all printer options and features will de discussed later in this manual.
Factory Test
The printer is equipped with several factory test modes. These test options are only used
for factory burn-in and testing.
TEST-Burn-in
TEST-Rolling ASCII
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Hex-dump Mode
Hex-dump mode is used to diagnose communication problems with the printer. As
information is received by the printer, the information is converted to a Hex/ASCII format
and printed. No translation is made, which means no commands are interpreted. All
information is converted to Hex/ASCII and printed on the receipt tape. If a carriage return
is sent to the printer, it is translated to 0D in the hexadecimal field and "." in the ASCII
field.
Entering Hex-dump Mode
To enter hex-dump mode, perform the following sequence of operations:
1. Press and release the * button to turn the printer OFF. (The power indicator light
will be off.)
2. Press and hold the Feed button.
3. While holding the Feed button, press and release the * button.
4. When the red, error indicator light blinks, continue to hold the Feed button until
the blink pattern changes (about 5 seconds). After the pattern changes, release
the line feed button and the printer will enter Hex-dump mode.
Hex-dump format
The format follows.
54
61
68
20
69
74
73
65
20
73
69
74
73
0D
20
0A
This is
a test..
Several indications of printer and host communication problems can be deduced from
hex dump mode. If the printer is printing all 3F "?" symbols, the parity or the number of
bits is wrong. If the printer is printing 3F "?" symbols when it should be printing other
characters, the communications are probably incorrect, such as the parity, baud rate, or
bit length setting. If the printer prints incorrect characters (like Hex C1 instead of Hex 41
"A"), it is set for 8-bit data, and the host is set for 7-bit. In most cases, the print problem
can be traced to the host and printer being configured differently.
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Level 0 Diagnostics
Level 0 diagnostics always and only run at power up, e.g. power being applied. These
diagnostics perform the following tasks:
Cold Power On
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Basic System Integrity
Vector Integrity
RAM Test
Flash Boot Loader Integrity
Flash Firmware Integrity (NOTE: If the firmware is corrupted, the printer will remain in boot load.)
Start Normal Firmware
Verify Configuration Integrity
Interface Card Configuration
User-store Integrity
Start Kernel, Verify Multitasking, Start Tasks
11.
12.
13.
14.
Once the kernel is running, the following tests must pass to allow operation. However, if any test
fails (except the knife home test), the remaining tests will generate recoverable faults and normal
operation will start as soon as the fault is cleared. These tests are also run when operation is
resumed from OFF.
Cover Closed Check
Knife Home (if installed)
Paper Present
Place Printer On-line, Start Normal Operation
The first phase of testing consists of step 1-5, and determines that the boot loader is
accurate and the printer firmware is correct. Tests 1 through 4 produce non-recoverable
errors if they fail, in which case the power must be removed from the printer and the
printer returned for service. If the boot loader is intact, but the main firmware is
corrupted, the printer automatically enters boot loader mode, where the firmware can
then be reloaded into the printer.
Boot Loader Mode
The boot loader cannot be entered during normal operation. Boot loader mode can only
be entered in one of two ways: (1) when Level 0 Diagnostics finds that the firmware
check (also known as a cyclical redundancy check, or CRC) is bad, or (2) manually.
To manually enter the boot loader, hold the * button while the power is applied. The
ERROR Indicator comes on, and the POWER indicator blinks. At this time, the firmware
boot program is operating and the boot load file may be sent to the printer. When the
printer receives the boot load file, the printer will automatically restart if the firmware load
was successful. If the load fails, the printer will remain in boot load mode. If the load
fails, reset the printer by removing the power and restarting it.
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Configuring Your iTherm® 280 Printer
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Configuration Mode Overview
There are two ways to configure the iTherm® 280 printer: the first is to use the manual
configuration sequence by using the keypad controls, and the second is to use
TransAct’s remote configuration software. TransAct Technologies offers the use of a
remote CONFIG program as a fast, easy way for system integrators to configure or
reconfigure your iTherm® 280 printer. To obtain more information, or the latest version of
the CONFIG program, call our Sales Department or Technical Support.
Most Frequent Configuration Incompatibilities
Parallel Printer
Emulation
Carriage Return Options
Serial Printer
Emulation
RS-232 Serial Interface (baud rate)
Carriage Return Options
How to Change Configuration Settings
Entering into Configuration Mode
1) Place the printer in standby by pressing the * button.
2) Press and hold the Feed button while pressing and releasing the * button.
3) When the error indicator blinks, indicating a stuck key, release the Feed key and
enter Self Test Mode.
4) Press and hold the Feed button until the next test is printed. Then release the Feed
button.
5) Repeat step 4 until “Test-Configuration” is printed.
6) Press and release the Feed button briefly. The current configuration will then be
printed.
7) You are now in Configuration Mode.
After you enter Configuration Mode, the printer will print the current configuration, the
current totals and the error logs, if any. Save this printout as a guide to changing the
configuration, and in case you wish to return the printer to the previous configuration.
Each emulation can have different configurable features. If you are changing the
emulation, note that the printout that was printed at the beginning of the configuration
process may be incorrect for the new emulation, and the configurable features may be
different. If you are using this print out as a configuration guide, and you are changing
the emulation, you may wish to save the new emulation and then re-enter Configuration
Mode to change other options. This will print all the available features for the new
emulation.
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Using Configuration Mode
The Feed button is used to select and change configuration setting. By pressing and
releasing the Feed button, the parameter to be changed can be selected. By pressing
and holding the Feed button, the value of the selected parameter will change.
The following chart lists some of the potential parameters and their options.
Parameter
Emulation Mode
Definition
Printers command set
Model
Type of Epson Printer
Paper Colors
Black Dot Eo
Red Dot Eo
Color
Density Adjust
Baud Rate
This option allows the
Custom Black or Custom
Color paper Black
energy to be set.
This option allows the
Custom Color paper
Color energy to be set.
This option selects the
secondary paper color
This is a fine adjustment
for the print density.
Serial Communications
Bit rate
Mode
Number of bits, parity
and stop bits.
Handshaking
Flow control options
Receive Error
What happens when an
error is detected.
Flag for Windows Plug
and Play active.
What RS232 signals are
used for flow control
How CTS and DSR used
Flag for multidrop active
Relationship of Busy to
ACK on the IEEE1284
interface.
Command used for
printer select and
deselect (Microline and
M50 only)
What character set is
used for a default.
Is the zero slashed, unslashed or defined by
the language set.
Sets the size of the
default font
Sets the default
characters per inch
Windows PnP
DTR/RTS Signal
CTS/DSR Signal
Multidrop Mode
Busy-to-ACK
Select/Deselect
Code Page or
Language Set
Zero
Font
CPI
Page 66
Options
Ithaca PcOS, Epson TMTXX, ESC/POS,
Microline, Ithaca M50
TM-T85, TM-T88II, TMT88III, TM-T90
Default
Ithaca PcOS
10 to 40
24
10 to 40
12
Monochrome, Red,
Green, or Blue
-50 to + 50
None
300, 600, 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600, 19200,
38400, 57600,115200
7 bit or 8 bit
Even, Odd, No Parity
1 or 2 Stop Bits
Ready/Busy
Xon/Xoff
None
Prints ?
Ignores the data.
Enabled,
Disabled
DTR, RTS, or Both DTR
and RST
None (Not used)
Off, A, B, or C Address
ACK while Busy
ACK in Busy
ACK after Busy
DC3/DC1
DC1/DC3
19200
See appendix
0 or 437
Slashed
Un-Slashed
Follow Language set
9x24, 10x24, 13x24, or
15x24
Value may be form 10 to
24 characters per inch
Defined by the language
set.
Rev C
TM-T88II
0
8 Bit, No parity, 1 Stop
bit
Ready/Busy
Prints ?
Enabled.
Both DTR and RTS
None (Not used)
Off
ACK in Busy
DC3/DC1
12 x 24
15
28-07764
Configuring Your ITherm® 280 Printer
Smoothing
Paper Width
Bar Code Width
10CPI (DC2)
ESC v
nINIT/ENQ<10>
Carriage Return
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Flag for whether scaled
characters smoothed.
Width of the paper
installed.
Enabled, Disabled
Enabled
80 or 58 mm paper and
print zone from 608 to
256 dots
1 to 8
80 mm and 576 dots.
Normal, Ignore LF,
Ignore CR ,
Add LF to CR,
Add CR to LF,
Add to Both,
Use CR as Print
Normal: Cover open,
paper out, and buffer
full.
Buffer full only.
6, 7.5, or 8 lines per
inch.
40 Characters
256 Characters
1024 Characters
2048 Characters
4096 Characters
8192 Characters
One Line
Ithaca Emulation:
Normal
Epson Emulation: Ignore
CR.
Axiohm Emulation: Use
CR as Print.
Normal.
This option will select a
paper type by brand
name.
Generic Black
Generic Color
Custom Black
Custom Color
Optima POS
Kanzaki P-320
Kanzaki P-350
Kanzaki P-320RB
Kanzaki P-320GB
Kanzaki P-320BB
Appleton RB100-2.3
Appleton GB100-2.3
Appleton BB100-2.3
Generic Black
This sets the
temperature that the pint
head tries to maintain.
The printer uses an 80W
internal supply. If an
external supply is used,
this adjustment will limit
the printer to the power
indicated.
This options sets the
default form feed page
length.
The Microline option has
two potential cash
drawer commands
See the section on Head
pre-heat later in the
manual.
60 to 120 Watts
25
Default barcode line
width.
This option defines how
CR and LF characters
are used.
Off-Line Option
This option defines what
conditions place the
printer off line.
Line Spacing
How many lines per inch
are printed by default.
This option specifies
how large the input
buffer is.
Input Buffer
Print Energy Control
Paper
PreHeat Temp.
Power Supply
Page Length
Cash Drawer CMD
28-07764
3
Ithaca Emulation: 8
Most others: 6
8192 Characters
80
0 – 60 lines.
0 disables the form feed
40
ESC +
BEL
BEL
Rev C
Page 67
Configuring Your ITherm® 280 Printer
CD ESC BEL Parm.
Microline Mode
Cash Drawer Time
Cash Drawer Sense
External User Store
Electronic Journal
External User Store
EJ Manual Print
EJ Record Numbers
User Store
On/Off Switch
Audio Alert
Cutter Option
Pre-Cut Feed or Tear
Point Adjust
Cutter Speed
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
The Microline Emulation
has the option of using
the ESC BEL command
to operate the cash
drawer
There are three
Microline modes
The cash drawer fire
time is adjustable in the
Ithaca emulation.
The sense of the cash
drawer open status can
be reversed.
Flag for user store in use
or configurable. If the
user store is in use and
has data in it, it can not
be reconfigured.
This specifies the
amount of external flash
available for the
electronic journal or user
data space.
This indicates the
amount of external flash
that is available for user
storage (Graphics and
characters.)
This sets whether or not
the manual electronic
journal options are
available.
This options sets
weather or not the
record number is printed
with journal entries.
This option sets a lock
on user store that
prevents any changes to
the data.
This option disables the
On/Off switch
This option configures
the operation of the
audio alert
This activates or
deactivates the auto
cutter
This option sets how
much the cut point is
adjusted before the auto
cut or manual tear-off.
This option adjusts the
auto cutter speed to
allow the use of thicker
paper.
Enabled
Disabled
Disabled
M50, M50 Plus, OKI
ML192
10 to 250 Ms
M50
Normal,
Inverted
Normal
In use or configurable.
Not Settable.
1 to 31 64K blocks
2
1 to 31 64K Blocks
This is not settable. It
equals 32 – the
Electronic Journal
setting.
Enabled
Disabled
Enabled
Enabled
Disabled
Enabled
Unlocked
Locked
Unlocked
Enabled
Disabled
Off, 50 ms to 1 Second
in 50 mSec steps
Enabled
Active
Inactive
Active if the printer is
equipped with an auto
cutter.
0
0 or none to 20 mm.
130 to 80 where 80 is
the slowest speed.
250 Ms
250 mS
100
Note: There are other features that may be configurable. It is intended
that if you need to change them, you will contact TransAct Technical
support for assistance.
Page 68
Rev C
28-07764
Configuring Your ITherm® 280 Printer
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Remote Configuration
Remote configuration is provided for all printers, and is accessed through a series of
extended diagnostic and configuration commands. The TransAct universal configuration
program will allow the configuration to be read, edited, and written back to the printer. It
will also allow the configuration of one printer to be recorded and replicated over a
number of printers. The program is available from TransAct Technical Support or by
downloading it from the Internet – consult the section On-line Technical Support for
further details.
Setting up for Color Paper
The iTherm® 280 may be configured to print two color thermal paper. For good print
quality, the printer should be configured to print the paper being used. If the paper you
are using is included in the list of papers displayed during printer configuration, that
configuration should be used. If not, the printer should be set to Generic Color. If this
does not produce acceptable print quality, you may select Custom Color.
Custom Color
When using Custom Color, start with a read setting of about 0.12 mJ/sq.mm and a black
energy of 0.24 mJ/sq.mm. First, adjust the black level to produce acceptable black print.
DO NOT EXCEED 0.40 mJ/sq.mm, or the paper may start to stick to the
print head and cause paper jams. Setting the Black energy too high will
also slow the printer down. All color papers tested by TransAct will
operate with black levels less than 0.35 mJ/sq.mm. When the Black
energy is set, adjust the Color value.
NEVER exceed the Black energy with the Color energy. The color level
can be very critical. Do not attempt to make the color darker by increasing
the energy to the point where black starts to appear, the print quality will
not be consistent.
28-07764
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chapter
6
Programming Codes
28-07764
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Page 72
Rev C
28-07764
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Control Codes Overview
This Programmer's Guide is designed to help users of the iTherm® 280 printer develop
applications. iTherm® 280 Printers are specialized point-of-sale printers that have
several features not normally found on general-purpose printers. Because of these
special features, iTherm® 280 Printers have unique control codes. This programmer's
guide documents the control codes that are unique to the iTherm® 280 Printer.
Nomenclature
When describing control codes, confusion often occurs as to whether the description is
decimal, hexadecimal, or ASCII. To minimize the problem, this programmer’s guide uses
the following nomenclature when describing control code sequences.
[ ]
Encloses a control character. [ ] represents a single, 8-bit value as
defined in the standard ASCII tables. The ASCII Code Table in Appendix
B lists the control codes. An example would be [ESC], which would
represent a 1BH or 27 decimal.
< >
Encloses an 8-bit value in decimal format. The value is from zero to 255.
An example is <2>, which represents 02H or 2 decimal.
Indicates a variable parameter. The variable parameter, , can have a
value from zero to 255. The meaning of is described and defined in
the description of the command.
Indicates that there are two parameters, and , where both can
have values from zero to 255.
Is an Ithaca® Printer Control Language (IPCL) parameter consisting of
two digits where and are ASCII characters from zero to nine.
The parameter is combined to form a value from zero to 99. If is
included, the parameter is combined to be from zero to 999. If two values
are specified, there must be two bytes added to the IPCL code. That is, if
the command specifies and the desired value is five, it must
be specified as 05.
x
All other characters in control strings represent ASCII characters. For
example, [ESC] 1 represents 1BH followed by 31H.
In many cases, applications require that control sequences be specified in hexadecimal
or decimal codes. In most cases, commands are specified in ASCII, hexadecimal, and
decimal. The ASCII Code Table in Appendix B (page 324) lists ASCII, hexadecimal, and
decimal equivalents.
28-07764
Rev C
Page 73
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Standard Emulation
The standard control codes for the iTherm® 280 Printer are extensions and subsets of
the PcOS IBM emulation provided on other Ithaca® products. In some cases, an
application designed for a Series 50 Printer with IBM code sets will function with a
iTherm® 280 Printer.
IPCL Codes
Ithaca® Printer Control Language (IPCL) codes are part of PcOS and designed to control
a printer without using control characters (i.e. characters less than 20H). Only the
standard PcOS emulation supports IPCL.
In rare cases, an IPCL code will interfere with the text that is to be printed. The IPCL
translator can be disabled with an [ESC] y <4> command.
EPOS Emulation
ESC/POS4 is referred to here as EPOS. The iTherm® 280 Printer supports two Epson
emulations. One emulation is for the TM-T88, and the other is an enhanced TM-T90
emulation.
Specific EPSON compatibility features, such as its Automated Status Back
(ASB) feature, are available as an option from TransAct Technologies.
Command codes pertaining to these features are documented as
“licensed” within the command description.
It is intended that the standard Ithaca® PcOS emulation be used for new
applications. Not all features of iTherm® 280 Printers are supported by EPOS –
specifically, the ability to print color horizontal graphics is not supported.
Axiohm
The printer contains an Axiohm A793 emulation that will allow the printer to replace an
Axiohm thermal print in most applications. Note that the iTherm® 280 does not support
the printer configuration commands provided in the A793 Printer. The iTherm® 280
should be configured through the keypad or with the TransAct configuration program.
Ithaca® Microline Emulation
The iTherm® 280 printer supports several Microline emulations. These emulations allow
the iTherm® 280 Printer to replace some older Ithaca® M50 printers with Microline
commands. This emulation is not documented here. Refer to our Microline Emulation
Programmer’s Guide (12-03244) for more information.
Application Development
To aid application development, several chapters in this manual are designed to help the
programmer understand the iTherm® 280 Printer. The next chapter provides a detailed
description of each of the commands. Subsequent chapters provide explanations of
4
ESC/POS is a registered trademark of the Seiko Epson Corporation.
Page 74
Rev C
28-07764
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
how the printer works, including a description of the internal print buffer, communications
link, and interaction between the host computer and printer.
Ithaca Control Codes and Commands
Throughout this Programmer's Guide, charts and tables list commands and features. In
most cases, the charts cross-reference the page that describes the command. Code
summary charts, arranged by code and function, are provided to help quickly find
commands.
PcOS Printer Control Codes
The following section defines the iTherm® 280 Ithaca® PcOS emulation. The native,
Ithaca® PcOS emulation provides the most flexibility and control over the printer. It is
consistent with most previous Ithaca® PcOS products, and should be used when the
printer is placed in a new application.
One new feature in the iTherm® 280 Printer is the ability to print color graphics, and the
control codes for color graphics are all new. Due to the complexity of color graphics,
TransAct provides several drivers to integrate into your application. TransAct does not
recommend that you generate drivers. In addition, TransAct has created several tools
that can be used to generate and maintain graphic images and files for print on the
iTherm® 280. Information about drivers and tools are available on the TransAct web site
and on a TransAct Software Developer’s Toolkit. For more information about either of
these options, contact Technical Support.
28-07764
Rev C
Page 75
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Quick PcOS Reference Chart
Description
Low Level paper Motion
Line feed.
Carriage return.
Horizontal Motion
Back space.
Horizontal tab.
Set horizontal tab stops.
Set horizontal position.
Set justification.
n=0 Left
n=1 Center
n=2 Right
n=8 Left (No line feed)
n=9 Center (No line feed)
n=10 Right (No line feed)
Reset horizontal and vertical tab stops.
Set left/right print margins.
n1 = Left margin, n2 = Right margin
Select Minimum character Height and
Width in points
Select Minimum character Height and
Width in ¼ points
Vertical Motion
Perform a fine line feed.
ASCII
Hex
IPCL equivalent
code
Page
[LF]
0AH
&%LF
82
[CR]
0DH
&%CR
82
[BS]
08H
&%BS
83
[HT]
09H
&%HT
83
[ESC] D
... <0>
[ESC] n
1BH,44H
none
83
1BH,6EH
84
[ESC] a
1BH,61H
&%HP
&%JR {n=2}
&%JC {n=1}
&%JL {n=0}
84
[ESC] R
1BH,52H
&%HV
[ESC] X
1BH,58H
none
161
84
[ESC] + P
1BH 50H
none
278
[ESC] + p
1BH 70H
none
278
[ESC] J
1BH,4AH
85
[ESC] 0
1BH,30H
&%FM
&%ST
[ESC] 1
1BH,31H
&%SG
86
[ESC] 2
1BH,32H
none
87
[ESC] 3
1BH,33H
85
Set variable line spacing to n/72 inch.
Feed lines at current spacing.
[ESC] A
1BH,41H
&%SV
none
[ESC] d
1BH,64H
Set vertical tab stops.
[ESC] B
... 0
[VT]
[FF]
Set 1/8-inch line spacing.
Set 7/72-inch line spacing.
Begin variable line spacing. (Enable [ESC]
A ).
Set variable line spacing to n/216 inch.
86
86
1BH,42H
&%FL
none
88
0BH
&%VT
88
0CH
&%FF
89
[ESC][VT]
1BH,0BH
None
91
[ESC] 4
1BH,34H
&%TF
89
[ESC] C
1BH,43H
89
Select Minimum character Height and
Width in points
Select Minimum character Height and
Width in ¼ points
Begin auto line feed. (n=0, end n=1)
[ESC] + P
1BH 50H
&%SL
none
278
[ESC] + p
1BH 70H
none
278
[ESC] 5
1BH,35H
Set form length in inches.
[ESC] C [NUL]
1BH,43H
&%CA {n=0}
&%MA {n=1}
&%SI
Vertical tab.
Form feed.
Feed to black dot
Set top of form.
Set form length in lines.
Page 76
Rev C
87
90
89
28-07764
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Description
ASCII
Hex
Reverse line feed.
[ESC] ]
1BH,5DH
Character Pitch
Set character spacing in points
[ESC]+I
None
276
Set character spacing in ¼ points
[ESC]+i
None
277
Set character spacing in points with
adjustment
Set character spacing in ¼ points with
adjustment
Begin 10 CPI character pitch.
Begin 12 CPI character pitch.
Begin 17 CPI character pitch.
Set character pitch.
[ESC]+J
1BH 2BH
49H
1BH 2BH
69H
1BH 2BH
4AH
None
277
1BH 2BH
6AH
None
278
[ESC]+j
IPCL equivalent
code
&%LR
Page
90
[DC2]
12H
&%F3
93
[ESC] :
1BH,3AH
&%F2
93
[SI]
0FH
&%F1
93
[ESC] [ P
&%F
94
none
95
Set inter-character spacing.
Begin 24 CPI character pitch
Select Minimum character Height and
Width in ¼ points
Set left/right print margins.
n1 = Left margin, n2 = Right margin
Character Font
Select font
[ESC] V
1BH,5BH,
50H
1BH,56H
[ESC][SI]
1BH,0FH
&%F4
93
[ESC] + p
1BH 70H
none
278
[ESC] X
1BH,58H
none
161
[ESC] + 3
none
270
Select font by name
[ESC] + N
Filename<0>
[ESC] + S
…
[ESC] + B
none
271
none
270
none
279
none
278
278
Select Minimum character Height and
Width in points
Select Minimum character Height and
Width in ¼ points
Begin 12 x 12 draft print.
[ESC] + P
1BH 2BH
31H
1BH 2BH
4EH
1BH 2BH
53H
1BH 2BH
42H
1BH 50H
[ESC] + p
1BH 70H
none
[ESC] # <0>
&%QT
96
Set print quality mode.
n=0 Draft (12 x 12)
n=1 Large draft (12 x 14)
n=2 NLQ (24 x 16)
n=3 NLQ (24 x 16)
n=4-7 Repeats 0-3
Begin rotated font. (See command
description).
[ESC] I
1BH,23H,
00H
1BH,49H
&%QT {n=0}
&%QU {n=1}
&%QL {n=2}
&%QS {n=3}
96
[ESC] P
1BH,50H
97
Select character code page.
[ESC] [ T
Insert Euro character.
[ESC] [ C
Print control character.
[ESC] ^
1BH,5BH,
54H
1BH,5BH,
43H
1BH,5EH
&%RI
&%RF
&%RN
&%CP
&%EU
Redefine character set.
[ESC] [ S …
Define user-defined characters.
[ESC] =
…
[ESC] >
Define Stacked Font
Set stroke font Brush Size
Enable user-defined characters.
Cancel user-defined characters.
28-07764
[ESC] $
Rev C
1BH,5BH,
53H…
1BH,3DH
&%CC
101
102
102
104
none
105
1BH,3EH
none
106
1BH,24H
none
106
Page 77
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Description
ASCII
Hex
Print control character.
[ESC] ^
1BH,5EH
Print Unicode character
[ESC] “
1BH,22H
[ESC] c
1BH,63H
&%CL
107
[SO]
0EH
&%MW
107
[DC4]
14H
&%MN
107
[ESC] W
1BH,57H
&%FS {n=0}
&%FD {n=1}
&%FH {n=3}
108
[ESC] _
1BH,5FH
&%CO {n=0}
&%MO {n=1}
108
[ESC] -
1BH,2DH
&%CU {n=0}
&%MU {n=1}
110
[ESC] G
1BH,47H
&%ME
110
[ESC] H
1BH,48H
&%CE
110
[ESC] E
1BH,45H
&%MM
110
[ESC] F
1BH,46H
&%CM
111
[ESC] [ @ ...
1BH,5BH,
40H…
1BH,53H,
00H
1BH,53H,
01H
1BH,54H
&%DH
&%SH
&%SP
109
&%SB
111
&%SE
111
1BH,25H,
47H
1BH,25H,
48H
&%MI
112
&%CI
112
[ESC] t
1BH,74H
&%PM
114
[ESC] o …
1BH,6FH
[FF]
0CH
&%FF
122
[ESC] K
1BH,4BH
none
123
[ESC] L
1BH,4CH
none
123
[ESC] Y
1BH,59H
none
123
[ESC] Z
1BH,5AH
none
124
[ESC] U
1BH,55H
&%GU {n=1}
&%GB {n=0}
125
[ESC] *
[ESC] ?
1BH,2AH
none
124
1BH,3FH
none
124
Character Attributes
Select color.
Begin one-line double-wide print.
Cancel one-line double-wide print.
Multi-line double-wide double-high mode.
n=0 Standard mode
n=1 Double-wide
n=2 Double-high
3 = Both
Enable/disable Strike Through.
n=0 End
n=1 Begin
Begin underline mode.
n = 0 End
n = 1 Begin
Begin enhanced print.
End enhanced print.
Begin emphasized print.
End emphasized print.
Set print style. (See command description.)
Select superscript.
[ESC] S <0>
Select subscript.
[ESC] S <1>
End superscript or subscript.
Begin italics.
[ESC] T
End italics.
[ESC] % H
Rotated Print
Page Mode
Select page mode
Set page mode page position
Exit page mode
APA Graphics
Print single-density graphics.
=0...255
=0…3
len= + 256 *
Print half-speed double-density graphics.
Print full-speed double-density graphics.
Print quad-density graphics.
Select bidirectional or unidirectional print.
n=0 Bidirectional
n=1 Unidirectional
Print graphics in mode .
Reassign graphic mode.
Two Color Graphics
Page 78
[ESC] % G
Rev C
IPCL equivalent
code
&%CC
&%PU
Page
102
102
111
122
28-07764
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Description
ASCII
Hex
Process horizontal graphics data.
[ESC] h
[ESC] * <0>
<0>
1BH,68H
IPCL equivalent
code
none
1BH,2AH
none
128
132
&%UF
135
&%UQ
<0>
&%UQ
<0>
&%GP
136
Start macro record.
[ESC] g <1>
&%GS
138
Stop macro record.
[ESC] g <2>
&%GE
138
Stop macro record and save.
[ESC] g <3>
1BH,1FH,
62H
1BH,1FH,
6DH
1BH,1FH,
65H
1BH,1FH,
6CH
1BH,1FH,
63H
1BH,1FH,
72H
1BH,1FH,
6DH
1BH,1FH,
64H
1BH,1FH,
66H,00H
1BH,1FH,
66H,00H
1BH,1FH,
72H
1BH,1FH,
72H
1BH,67H,
00H
1BH,67H,
01H
1BH,67H,
02H
1BH, 67H,
03H
&%UB
<0>
&%UM
<0>
&%UG
<0>
&%UL
<0>
&%UC
<0>
&%UR
<0>
&%US
<0>
&%UD
<0>
&%UF
Process user macro.
[ESC] [US] b
<0>
[ESC] [US] m
<0>
[ESC] [US] e
<0>
[ESC] [US] l
<0>
[ESC] [US] c
<0>
[ESC] [US] r
<0>
[ESC] [US] s
<0>
[ESC] [US] d
<0>
[ESC] [US] f ALL
<0>
[ESC] [US] t ALL
<0>
[ESC] [US] q
<0>
[ESC] [US] ?
<0>
[ESC] g <0>
&%GW
138
[ESC] b ...
[ETX]
1BH,62H
&%25 {n=0}
&%39 {n=1}
&%12 {n=2}
&%UP {n=3}
&%EA {n=4}
&%UE {n=5}
&%E8 {n=6}
&%93 {n=7}
139
[ESC] [EM] E
[ESC] [EM] B
1BH 19H
45H
1BH,19H,
42H
none
146
&%BH
147
[ESC] [EM] W
1BH 19H
57H
1BH,19H,
4AH
&%BW
147
&%BJ
147
Set horizontal graphic mode.
User Store
Begin named macro record.
Save macro data in user store.
End named macro record.
Load item from user store.
Save user-defined characters.
Run macro data from user store.
Flag item as a start-up macro.
Delete item from user store.
Flush information from user store.
Transfer user store to extended user store
Report on user store.
Return a report on user store
Bar Codes
Print bar code.
n=0 Interleave 2 of 5
n=1 Code 39
n=2 Code 128
n=3 UPC A
n=4 EAN-13
n=5 UPC E
n=6 EAN-8
n= 7 Code 93
n = 8 Codabar
PDF 417 bar code control
Set bar code height.
n=0 Restore defaults
n=1 - 9 Number of passes
(0.11 inch per pass)
Set bar code width
Set bar code justification, HRI print mode,
and print direction.
Unicode
28-07764
[ESC] [EM] J
Rev C
Page
127
133
133
134
133
134
134
134
135
136
138
Page 79
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Description
ASCII
Hex
IPCL equivalent
code
none
Page
Initiate Unicode UTF-16BE encoding
[ESC] + H
1BH 2BH
48H
Initiate Unicode UTF-16LE encoding
[ESC] + L
1BH 2BH
4CH
none
271
Initiate Unicode UTF-8 encoding (MBCS)
[ESC] + M
1BH 2BH
4DH
none
271
Initiate Unicode UTF-8 Text only encoding
(MBCS)
Initiate normal 8-bit ASCII character
encoding
File System Commands
Open File
[ESC] + T
1BH 2BH
54H
none
272
[ESC] + A
1BH 2BH
41H
none
272
283
none
284
Return Free Space for Partition
[ESC][RS] s
none
284
Return Last File Command Status
[ESC][RS] ?
none
286
Close File
[ESC][RS] C
none
285
Close All Files
[ESC][RS] K
none
285
Open File
none
283
none
285
none
286
none
287
File Directory File
[ESC][RS] O
FileName<0>
[ESC][RS] A
FileName<0>
[ESC][RS] W
[ESC][RS] R
[ESC][RS] I
none
287
Delete all Files in partition
[ESC][RS] E
none
287
De-fragment File system
[ESC][RS] F
1BH 1EH
4FH
1BH 1EH
53H
1BH 1EH
73H
1BH 1EH
3FH
1BH 1EH
43H
1BH 1EH
4BH
1BH 1EH
4FH
1BH 1EH
41H
1BH 1EH
57H
1BH 1EH
52H
1BH 1EH
49H
1BH 1EH
45H
1BH 1EH
46H
none
Return Free Space for Open File
[ESC][RS] O
FileName<0>
[ESC][RS] S
none
287
Set/Clear File Attributes
Write File Data
Read File Data
Electronic Journal
Electronic journal initialize and set
password
Electronic journal erase the electronic
journal
Print the electronic journal
Report the electronic journal
Electronic journal begin entry
Electronic journal suspend entry
Electronic journal resume entry
Electronic journal end entry
Electronic journal mode begin
(journal station)
Miscellaneous Commands
Disable paper out sensor.
Enable paper out sensor.
Page 80
271
[ESC][GS]I
<0>
1BH 1DH
49H
%&EI
151
[ESC][GS]E
<0>
1BH 1DH
45H
&%EC
151
[ESC][GS]P< S l>
< Ll>
[ESC][GS]R< Sl> <
Sh>< Ll>
ESC]l <3>
1BH 1DH
50H
1BH 1DH
52H
1BH 6CH
&%EP
152
&%EQ
152
[ESC]l <2>
1BH 6CH
&%ES
160
[ESC]l <1>
1BH 6CH
&%ER
160
[ESC]l <0>
1BH 6CH
&%EE
160
[ESC]{
1BH 7BH
None
159
[ESC] 8
1BH,38H
&%PF
161
[ESC] 9
1BH,39H
&%PO
161
Rev C
%&EB
28-07764
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Description
ASCII
Hex
Set left/right margins.
n1 = Left margin
n2 = Right margin
Clear print buffer.
Query marker.
Open cash drawer.
n=1 Cash Drawer 1
n=2 Cash Drawer 2
[ESC] X
1BH,58H
IPCL equivalent
code
none
Page
[CAN]
18H
&%RP
162
[ESC] q
1BH,71H
none
162
[ESC] x
1BH,78H
&%D1 {n=1}
&%D2 {n=2}
163
Perform Auto Cut
Audio alert.
Configure audio alert.
[ESC] v
1BH,76H
&%FC
163
[BEL]
07H
&%BL
164
[ESC] [BEL]
1BH,07H
none
164
Print suppress
and data pass through.
Initialize printer.
Enable paper error mode operation.
[ESC] <
1BH,3CH
&%PT
166
[ESC] @
1BH,40H
none
163
[ESC] p
1BH,70H
&%PE
164
Enable dynamic response
Begin multi-drop control.
Inquire status. (Refer to command
descriptions.)
[ESC] w
1BH,77H
none
154
[SOH]
01H
none
170
[ENQ]
05H
none
172
161
Inquire cash drawer 1 status
Control Periodic Status
[ENQ] <1>
05H01H
none
172
[ESC][EM]P
none
179
Control Periodic Status
[ESC][EM]p
1BH, 19H,
50H
1BH, 19H,
70H
none
179
Extended Diagnostics
Set control feature commands.
[ESC] y
1BH,79H
167
Extended diagnostics.
[ESC] ~
1BH,7EH
&%Y0 - 9 or
&%YX
(for
numbers >9)
none
28-07764
Rev C
168
Page 81
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Low Level Paper Motion Control
Print/Paper Motion
[CR]
Carriage return
ASCII
Hexadecimal
Decimal
IPCL
EPOS
[CR]
0DH
<13>
&%CR
0DH
Description
The [CR] command prints the contents of the print buffer (if any) and
resets the next character print position to the left margin. A line feed is
not performed unless auto-feed is active. The print rotation direction and
the left margin command define the left margin.
[LF]
Line feed
ASCII
Hexadecimal
Decimal
IPCL
EPOS
[LF]
0AH
<10>
&%LF
0AH
Description
The [LF] command prints the contents of the buffer (if any) and advances
paper one line at the current default line spacing. The next character
print position is not reset to the left margin unless auto-CR is active.
Page 82
Rev C
28-07764
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
Horizontal Motion Control
Several commands can be used to control the horizontal position of characters. Many
applications use space control to position fields. However, the iTherm® 280 Printer has
the ability to control character position with horizontal tab stops. This is done using the
horizontal tab [HT] to move to those tab stops.
[HT]
Horizontal tab
ASCII
Hexadecimal
Decimal
IPCL
EPOS
[HT]
09H
<9>
&%HT
[HT]
Description
The [HT] command inserts spaces in the print buffer up to the next tab
stop. The default tab locations are every eight spaces.
[BS]
Back space
ASCII
Hexadecimal
Decimal
IPCL
EPOS
[BS]
08H
<8>
&%BS
[BS]
Description
The [BS] command moves the print buffer one character width to the left.
The pointer position cannot be moved to the left of the left margin. [BS]
does not cause the buffer to be printed; rather, the following data is OR'ed
with the previous data.
[ESC] D
Set horizontal tab stops
ASCII
Hexadecimal
Decimal
IPCL
EPOS
[ESC] D ... 0
1BH 44H ... 00H
<27> <68> ... <0>
none
[ESC] D ... 0
Description
The [ESC] D ... 0 command sets tab stops at the
character columns specified by . The end of the settings is specified
by a <0>. All previously set tabs will be cleared. The restore-default
procedure other than to re-specify the tabs. Column sizes are in
accordance with the current character pitch. Setting tabs that are beyond
the station width is possible. A [CR] is inserted when the tab is used.
Printing begins at the home position. The power up default is every eight
spaces, i.e., 9, 17, 25, and so on.
28-07764
Rev C
Page 83
iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
[ESC] R
Reset horizontal and vertical tab stops
ASCII
Hexadecimal
Decimal
IPCL
EPOS
[ESC] R
1BH 52H
<27> <82>
&%HV
none
Description
The [ESC] R command resets horizontal and vertical tab stops to the
power up configuration. The power up horizontal default is every eight
spaces, i.e., 9, 17, 25, and so on. The vertical default is every line.
[ESC] a
Set Justification
ASCII
Hexadecimal
Decimal
IPCL
EPOS
[ESC] a
1BH 61H
<27> <97>
&%JL, &%JC, &%JR
[ESC] a
Description
Where
The [ESC] a command sets the horizontal justification.
0 = Left justified
&%JL
1 = Center justified
&%JC
2 = Right justified
&%JR
8 = Left justified (no line feed)
None
9 = Center justified (no line feed)
None
10 = Right justified (no line feed)
None
The print format of the printer can be right, center, or left justified. The
value of specifies the justification. The power on default is left
justified.
Note: The justify commands do not affect graphics.
[ESC] n
Set horizontal position
ASCII
Hexadecimal
Decimal
IPCL
EPOS
[ESC] n
1BH 6EH
<27> <110>
&%HP
[ESC]$