Citizen 120D+ User manual

CITIZEN
USER'S MANUAL
120D-/-
DOT MATRIX PRINTER

Citizen 120D +: Citizen Watch Co. Ltd., Japan
Amstrad: Amstrad CPC
Apple, Apple II, Applesoft BASIC: Apple Computer Inc
Atari, Atari BASIC: Atari, Inc., a Warner Communications
Company
Commodore, Commodore BASIC: Commodore Business
Machines, Inc.
CP/M: Digital Research
Diablo: Xerox Corporation
Epson LX, Epson FX: Epson America Inc.
IBM Personal Computer, IBM PC, IBM Graphics
Printer: International Business Machines Corp.
Kaypro: Kaypro Computer Corporation
Microsoft BASIC: Microsoft Corporation
Sanyo: Sanyo Corporation
Spinwriter: NEC Information Systems, Inc.
TRS-BO, TRS-80 Model III, TRS-80 Basic: Radio Shack,
Tandy Corp.
WordStar: MicroPro International Corporation
© Copyright 1990 Europe Ltd.
All rights reserved

INTRODUCTION
Your new Citizen 120D + printer represents the state of the
art in dot matrix printers, with all the features of a printer
that would cost much more. It is designed to work with
almost all of today's microcomputers in a wide variety of
applications, using either commercial software or your own
programs.
The Citizen 120D + is capable of all the printing functions
you would expect of a top-quality dot matrix printer, as well
as some additional features you may not expect:
■ Expanded, compressed, emphasised, and doublestrike
print, italics, superscripts, and subscripts
■ Correspondence standard, near letter quality print, dual
pitch, high speed mode and reverse white-on-black print
■ Built-in international characters for 11 countries as well
as line and block graphics and accented characters
■ Dot-addressable graphics in six densities
■ Two self-tests: a comprehensive printer self-test that
prints all of the 120D + 's standard characters as well as line
and block graphics and accented characters, and a
maintenance self-test that identifies the version of the
control program, the dipswitch configuration and character
generators and performs a printing alignment test
■ A hex dump feature that is a powerful program
debugging feature, printed in a format that is
unprecedented in the printer marketplace. It not only prints
the hexadecimal value of every code it receives, but also
prints all the corresponding characters and the control code
abbreviations. (Most printers either print only the hex codes
or just the corresponding characters and not the control
codes.)
■ And at 120 characters per second and 144 characters
per second in high speed elite mode, the Citizen 120D +
will make short work of your printing needs!
If versatility and ease-of-use is "the name of the game", the
Citizen 120D + is a step ahead of its time! Check these
additional design features:
■ Your Citizen 120D + printer is designed to be like two
printers in one. It can act just like an Epson FX or Epson LX
printer, or, with the flip of a switch, it can act just like an
IBM Graphics Printer. And the Epson FX/ LX configuration
has two different combinations of printer functions!
■ The standard tractor-feed mechanism can be installed
and removed in seconds. In fact, you'll see that the entire
printer can be easily assembled in just a few minutes.
■ The standard parallel (and optional serial) interface is
cartridge-removable. Slip one interface cartridge out and
insert another — it's really that simple!
■ The 120D + 's internal switches are conveniently located
on the interface cartridge. This means no more searching
inside the printer or completely removing the cover to
access the internal switches. You can quickly make
adjustments to the switches that control many of the
120D + 's functions. (In addition, many of the switch
functions can be controlled by software commands.)
hi

This 120D+ User's Manual is a complete, concise manual
that is well illustrated and highly informative, yet plainly
written. The manual is written not just for the computer
expert who wants to know about hex codes and bit maps,
but also for the non-programmer who simply wants
professional printing results. With this manual, learning to
use your 120D + printer will be a fast, easy and pleasant
experience.
Before you unpack your printer (no matter which type of
user you are), you should begin by reading Chapter 1. It
tells you how to unpack and set up your printer.
When you have the 120D + set up and connected to your
computer, read Chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 2 covers the
basics of dot matrix printing and how the 120D + interacts
with your computer and your software. Chapter 3 provides
information about using BASIC and advice on how to
program the printer when using certain computers.
Chapter 4 gets you started printing. In fact, if you plan to
use your printer only with commercial software and are not
interested in programming, you can skip the next six
chapters and just read Appendix A about maintenance.
(We told you it was fast and easy!)
If you plan to do your own programming or design custom
graphics, Chapters 3 through 9 and the appendices are for
you. These chapters contain explanations of all the features.
Example programs, written in Microsoft BASIC, will show
you how to send the commands to the 120D + printer. If
your computer does not use Microsoft BASIC, you can
modify the programs for your computer as discussed in
Chapter 3.
If you plan to write your own programs, you'll find the
example programs handy as subroutines. If you don't know
BASIC, you can still use all of the 120D + 's features. Just
copy the codes in the example programs. (So that your
sample programs come out the same, this manual assumes
that you have configured your 120D + as an Epson FX/LX
printer; see Appendix D for Epson configuration options.)
The appendices provide handy reference guides to
maintenance, the 120D + 's codes, internal switch settings
and specifications. Appendix A is about maintenance and
should be read by everyone. It tells you how to take care of
your 120D+ printer so that it maintains its high quality of
printing.
Congratulations on your wise investment and enjoy your
new Citizen 120D+ printer!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Unpacking and assembly
Installing the ribbon
Installing the printer cover
Getting acquainted
Printer components
The control panel
Control panel procedure
Selecting and loading paper
The paper select lever
Loading single sheets
Installing the tractor-feed mechanism
Loading continuous paper
Bottom-feeding continuous paper
Paper thickness
The printer self-test
The maintenance self-test
Connecting your computer
Internal switches
CHAPTER 2
PRINTER BASICS
Using commercial software
Dot matrix printing
ASCII codes
Hexadecimal numbers
Non-printing codes
Printer installation
Choosing the right configuration
Software printer choices
Word processors
Literal characters
Spreadsheets, databases, and other programs
CHAPTER 3
USING BASIC
Which BASIC?
IBM and compatible computers
Apple II computers
Amstrad computers
TRS-80 computers
CP/M computers
Atari computers
Commodore computers
BBC computers
Listing a program
The escape code
Initialising the printer

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 4
PRINTING TEXT
Near letter quality
Character print width
Character pitch
Normal mode (10 cpi, Pica pitch)
High-speed mode (12 cpi, Elite pitch)
Continuous expanded print
One-line expanded print
Compressed print
Proportional print
Proportional spacing
Justified printing
Print density
Emphasised print
Doublestrike print
Special effects
Italics
Underlining
Overscoring
Reverse print
Superscripts
Subscripts
Character height and width
Enlarged print
The master commands
Master reset
Master pitch
Master print mode
Special characters and symbols
Character font selection
Accented (international) characters
Switching configurations
ASCII codes 128 to 159
Select graphics and accented characters
Select graphics and accented characters
(IBM-compatible)
Characters from all characters chart
(IBM configuration)
Character tables — top set selection
CHAPTER 5
PAGE FORMATTING
The end of the line
Carriage return
Line feed
A note about BASIC
Automatic line feed
Line spacing
Fixed line spacing
1/6 inch line spacing
1/8 inch line spacing
7/72 inch line spacing
Variable line spacing
Line spacing of n/72 inch
Line spacing of n/144 inch
Line spacing of n/216 inch
A variable line spacing example
Variable line feeds
Line feed of n/216 inch
VI

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page design
New page (form feed)
Top of form
Page length
Set page length by lines
Set page length by inches
Margins
Top and bottom margins
Left margin
Right margin
CHAPTER 6
USING TABS
Horizontal tabs
Move to next Htab
Fixed Htabs
Variable Htabs
Relative Htab
Dot tabs
Absolute dot tabs
Relative dot tabs
Vertical tabs
Move to next Vtab
Fixed Vtabs
Variable Vtabs
Relative Vtab
Vtab channels
Define Vtab channels
Select Vtab channel
CHAPTER 7
GRAPHICS
Block and line graphics
Dot graphics
Graphics commands
Pin numbers
Graphics density
Single density
Double density
High-speed double density
Quadruple density
Comparing graphics densities
Sending graphics data
Line length: number of columns
Putting it all together
Graphics for special applications
Master graphics command
Change graphics density
Nine-pin graphics
Designing graphics
Defined shapes
Calculated shapes (plotting)
CHAPTER 8
CREATING CHARACTERS
How the 120D + prints characters
Designing your own characters
Copying standard characters
99

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Saving character designs in printer's memory
1. Epson configuration
Attribute byte
Data bytes
2. IBM configuration
Printing defined characters
Special effects
109
117
CHAPTER 9
ODDS AND ENDS
Buffer commands
Delete
Cancel
Master reset
Backspace
Unidirectional print
Continuous unidirectional print
One-line unidirectional print
Slashed zero
Off-line/on-line
Paper-out sensor
The eighth bit
Eighth bit on
Eighth bit off
Cancel eighth bit control
Cut-Sheet Feeder
Hex/ASCII dump
CHAPTER 10
SERIAL INTERFACE
Introduction
Specifications
Switch Settings
Recommended Connecting Circuit
Installation
APPENDIX A
123
MAINTENANCE
Cleaning
Ribbon cartridge
The print head
APPENDIX B
127
THE 120D+ CHARACTER SET
APPENDIX C
133
COMMANDS IN NUMERICAL ORDER

TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPENDIX D
THE INTERNAL SWITCHES
Removing the interface cartridge
Switch settings
Switch functions
APPENDIX E
THE PARALLEL INTERFACE 143
APPENDIX F
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
147

CHAPTER 1
SETUP
This chapter will help to set up your new Citizen 120D +
printer. You'll see how to pick a suitable location for your
printer and unpack its components. You'll also learn how to
install the ribbon, load paper and connect the printer to
your computer.
PRINTER LOCATION
Before you set up your printer, you should think about the
best location for it. Near your computer, obviously. But here
are a few other considerations:
■ Choose a flat, sturdy surface with enough room for the
paper to flow freely into and out of the printer. If you use
continuous fan-fold paper, you'll need space behind the
printer (or underneath with bottom-feeding) for a stack of
paper.
■ Position the printer so that connecting its power cord
and computer cable will not interfere with the paper flow.
■ Place a protective mat between printer and wood surface
to avoid possible damage to surface.
■ Avoid areas subject to excessive heat (direct sunlight, for
example), humidity, dust or grease.
■ Provide a steady source of 220/240-volt electricity.
Motors, and many appliances (copiers, heaters,
refrigerators, air conditioners, for example) cause
fluctuations in the power line. You may want to use a surge
protector which guards against power fluctuations. There
are many good ones available.
UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY
As you unpack your 120D + printer, set aside and save the
packing materials. They are specially designed to protect
the printer and will come in handy in case you ever need to
ship it.
You should find 5 items in the box as shown in Figure 1 -1.
Check to make sure each item is there. If anything appears
damaged, contact your dealer immediately.
Figure 1-1.
Inside the carton
you should find:
1) 120D+ printer,
2) Tractor-feed unit,
3) User's manual,
4) Ribbon
cartridge,
5) Single sheet
paper insertion
tray.
I
1

SET UP
Installing the ribbon
The printer ribbon is enclosed in a cartridge and is very easy
to install. Remove the ribbon cartridge from its packing
materials and open the printer cover. Holding the cartridge
with the round knob facing up and the ribbon facing the
back of the printer, place the cartridge in position behind
the print head as shown in Figure 1-2. Then gently push the
cartridge down until it snaps into place.
Slide the ribbon into place between the print head and the
metal ribbon guide. (The print head should be near the
middle of the printer to make this easier.) Remove any slack
in the ribbon by turning the round knob on the cartridge
clockwise and close the printer cover.
Figure 1-2.
Installing the
ribbon cartridge.
Ribbon
CAUTION: If you are replacing a ribbon cartridge, turn the
printer power off and slide the print head to the right
before removing the old ribbon, to avoid damaging the
print head cable.
Installing the printer cover
With the ribbon installed, you can replace the printer cover
on top of the printer. Holding the cover at about a 45
degree angle (see Figure 1 -3), insert the two slots on the
cover into the tabs on the printer case and press down on
the rear edge of the cover until it snaps in place. Then lower
the cover on to the printer.
The printer cover has three basic positions: all the way
closed during printer operation, all the way open (towards
the front of the printer) when you need to access the inside
of the printer, and open about half way to remove the cover
from the printer.
2

Power switch.
The power switch is used to turn power to the printer on
and off. It is on the left side near the front.
Platen
The platen is the hard rubber cylinder that carries the paper
to the print head.
Paper feed knob.
The paper feed knob, located on the right side of the
printer, turns the platen. By turning this knob, you can
manually advance the paper.

SET UP
Paper select lever.
The paper select lever adjusts the pressure on the platen
according to the type of paper being used. This lever is on
the top right of the printer, near the back.
The paper select lever has two positions: front and back.
The front position is used with single sheets or with
continuous paper without the tractor-feed mechanism. The
back position is used with continuous paper when you have
installed the tractor-feed.
Paper thickness lever.
The paper thickness lever adjusts the distance between the
platen and the print head to accommodate forms with up
to 3 carbonless copies. The paper thickness lever is located
just in front of the platen, on the right.
Printer cover.
The printer cover is actually a dust cover, noise buffer, paper
bail, and paper cutter — all in one! This cover protects the
120D + printer from dirt and dust as well as reduce the
sound level while printing. The cover has a bar with three
rollers on the inside which secure the paper against the
platen, and a special beveled edge acts as a paper cutter for
tearing off the paper.
The control panel
The control panel (Figure 1-5) is located on the right front
of the 120D + printer. It consists of three soft-touch
switches and a panel with three status lights.
Power light.
The power light glows green when power to the printer is
on.
Paper out. Font I/Font 2 light
The paper out light flashes red when the printer is out of
paper, and when home position error occurs (the carriage
return does not move normally). This light is also used to
indicate the printer has accepted a Font change command
as described in the next section.
Ready light.
The ready light glows green when the printer is ready to
accept data from the computer. During normal printing it
will flicker as the printer tells the computer to stop and start
sending data. This flicker is normal.
On-line switch.
The on-line switch determines whether the printer is
controlled by the computer and is able to receive data, or is
controlled by the other control panel switches. When "on¬
line" (indicated by the green ready light), the printer is
controlled by the computer and the other control panel
switches are inoperable. When "off-line" (the green light is
not on), information from the computer is suspended and
the other control panel switches can be used.
LF (Line Feed) switch.
When the printer is off-line, the line feed switch advances
the paper one line each time it is pressed. You can advance
the paper as far as you like by holding down the switch.

SET UP
FF (Form Feed) and Auto Sheet load switch
When the printer is off-line, pressing the form feed switch
advances the paper to the top of the next page or can
advance a new sheet automatically for you.
The control panel switches also play a part in turning on
three of the 120D + 's very special features: the printer self¬
test, the maintenance self-test, and the hex dump feature.
The two self-tests are co. ^ later in this chapter; the hex
dump feature is described in u9.
NLQ
_ paper out ONLINE LF
1=3 FONT 1/FONT 2
FF
AUTO SHEET LOAO
Cl RFADY 1 1 1
1 1
FONT 1/FONT 2
Figure 1-5.
The 120D+ printer
control panel.
CONTROL PANEL PROCEDURE
The control panel will allow the operator to access seven
different print styles, two character font styles and
ASF/forms length selection.
To enter the print style select mode with the printer ON
LINE, the operator will depress the FF button (hold it down)
and then depress the ON LINE button.
When the operator enters the print style mode the printer
will clear itself to the standard mode and the ready light
will start flashing.
To access each of the print styles shown as below, the
operator will depress the ON LINE button. For example, the
operator will depress the ON LINE button twice (2) to
access the ITALIC mode.
Each time the operator depresses the ON LINE button, the
"PAPER OUT" light will flash.
After accessing the desired font mode, the operator will
then depress the FF button and release it.
The operator will then depress the LF button, which will
take the 120D + out of the print style select mode.
Print style Select
Draft (Power on default) 0
Near Letter Quality (NLQ)
1
Italic
2
Emphasised
3
Reduced
4
Double height/width 5
Quadruple height/width 6
Only one (1) style will be accessable in another manner
than that stated above. This is the NLQ font. To access the
NLQ style without entering the print style select mode, the
operator will depress the LF button and hold it in. They will
then depress the ON LINE button and hold it in. Both
buttons may then be released. Upon their release the
120D + will enter the NLQ mode. To exit this mode, the
operator need only repeat the above procedure.
5

SET UP
The two resident internal character font styles can also be
accessed from the front panel by using a combination of
the LF and FF buttons. The use of these buttons is
underlined Font 1/Font 2 to help your remember for future
use.
With the printer ON LINE hold down the FF button and
press the LF button once. The print style from your printer
will now have changed. Repeating this operation will return
your printer to the character font style as configured by the
dipswitches. So that you can be sure that your command
has been noted by the 120D +, the paper out light will light
once on Font 1 selection and twice on Font 2 selection. Try
it out its easy!
It is also possible to use the front panel to vary the length
of paper that the 120D + will feed for you. This feature is
selected by: With the printer ON LINE hold down the LF
(line feed) button and then press the FF (form feed button).
The 'ready' light will now flash. Now press the ON LINE
button for the required selection from the following table:
0 = Standard Default
1 = ASF (Sheet feeder option mode)
2 = 6" forms length
3 = 11%" forms length
With the required selection made, press and release the FF
button followed by the LF button and the printer is now set.
SELECTING AND LOADING PAPER
The 120D + printer can be used with single sheets or
continuous fan-fold paper. Fan-fold paper, also called pin¬
feed or continuous paper, is what you probably think as
computer paper. It consists of continuous perforated sheets
with punched holes along the sides. It is available plain, or
with coloured stripes.
Continuous letterheads, pre-printed forms, labels and
envelopes can also be used with the 120D + printer. The
120D + can handle any of these up to ten inches wide.
Figure 1-6.
The paper select
lever has two
positions for
loading different
types of paper.
The paper select lever
The paper select lever (shown in Figure 1-6) sets the type of
paper feed the 120D + uses. It has two positions: front and
back. The front position is used with single sheet paper. In
this position, the pressure on the platen is increased so that
the paper is fed by friction.
The back position (towards the rear of the printer) is used
with continuous paper when the tractor-feed mechanism is
installed. In this position, the platen pressure is released so
that the paper is fed by the movement of the tractor's
sprocket pins on each side of the paper.
The back position can also be used to adjust the alignment
of any type of paper because it releases the pressure on the
6

SET UP
Loading single sheets
Loading single sheet paper into the 120D + printer is very
much like putting paper in a typewriter. Here's how to load
single sheets:
1. Move the paper select lever forward.
2. Insert a sheet of paper into the paper slot behind the
platen. The paper should slide in about one inch.
3. Advance the paper (around the platen) to the desired
position by manually turning the paper feed knob.
4. If necessary, make any adjustments to the paper with
the paper select lever back and then return the paper select
lever to the forward position.
Now you are ready to print. You can also load paper using
the LF (line feed) switch:
1. If you haven't already done so, plug in the power cord.
2. Turn the power switch on. You should see the Power
light come on and the paper-out (Fault) light flash. The
Ready light will be out at this point which means the printer
is off-line.
3. Move the paper select lever forward and insert a sheet
of paper into the paper slot.
4. Press and hold the LF switch until the paper advances to
the desired position, or press and hold the FF/AUTO SHEET
LOAD switch once. The paper advances automatically to the
position which is about one inch exceeding from the first
printing line. It is called AUTO SHEET LOAD.
5. If necessary, make any adjustments to the paper with
the paper select lever back, then return it to the forward
position.
6. Press the ON LINE switch; the paper-out light will go out
and the Ready light will come on which means the printer
is on-line.
You are ready to start printing.
Installing the tractor-feed mechanism
The tractor-feed mechanism is used with continuous paper,
labels or forms. It uses two sprockets, or tractors, which can
slide back and forth to adjust to the paper width. The
tractors are held in the desired position with locking levers
(see Figure 1-7).
The pins on the tractors fit into the holes along the edges
of the paper. The flip-up covers on the tractors clamp the
paper in place on the pins. With each new line, the tractor
pins move and pull the paper around the platen and
through the printer. Paper supports, which can be adjusted
left or right, guide the paper out of the printer.
Figure 1-7.
Tractors on the
tractor-feed
mechanism feed
continuous paper
through the
printer.
A

SET UP
Here's howto install the tractor-feed mechanism:
1. Remove the printer cover.
2. Push in the two release levers on the back of each end
and place the plastic hooks on the bottom of the tractor
into the tabs on the printer (see Figure 1-8).
3. Set the tractor unit on top of the printer as shown in
the illustration. When you let go of the release levers, the
tractor locks into place.
4. Install the paper supports and space them evenly on the
tractor unit.
You can leave the printer cover off for now to load the
continuous paper described in the next section.
Figure 1-8.
Continuous paper can be loaded through the rear of the
printer, just behind the platen (explained below), or
through the bottom of the printer (see the next section on
bottom-feeding the printer).
Let's first load continuous paper from the rear of the
printer. Here's how:
1. Remove the printer cover (if installed).
2. Turn power switch off and slide the print head to the
centre position.
3. Move the paper select lever forward and open the
tractor covers.
4. Flip the locking levers forward and adjust the tractors to
the approximate paper width. Adjust the paper supports so
that they are evenly spaced.
8