Compuprint 4056 Operating and maintenance manual

4
40 05 56 6 / / 4 40 05 56 6N N p pl lu us s
P
Pr ro og gr ra am mm me er r M Ma an nu ua al l
R Re ev v. . 0 00 02 2

A-1
E
EP PS SO ON N/ /I IB BM M M Mo od de e C Co om mm ma an nd ds s
This printer according to the IBM Proprinter XL24-XL24AGM and EPSON LQ Series
emulations supports the following printer commands. Each command has the
following structure:
•Name and function description.
•Information about protocol:
•The hexadecimal and decimal codes for the command: nrepresents variable
parameters of the command. The functions of these parameters are explained in
its corresponding command description
P
Pr ri in nt t a an nd d L Li in ne e F Fe ee ed d E Ex xe ec cu ut ti io on n
CR
Prints all received data and the column counter is set to the left margin.
(IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code CR
Hexadecimal Value 0D
Decimal Value 13
The print head then moves logically to the left margin position. The column counter is
set to the left margin value and a line feed is inserted automatically after the carriage
return (see the automatic carriage return function in the printer setup). When the
printer is in parallel connection and in EPSON mode, a line feed is inserted
automatically after a carriage return if AUTO LF HOST selection (see “Printer Setup”
in the User Manual and the AUTOFEEDXT signal is low. This code resets the double
width printing set by SO code.

A-2
ESC ]
Sets a reverse line feed. (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC ]
Hexadecimal Value 1B 5D
Decimal Value 27 93
This code is a terminator code; when received, it causes the current contents of the
print buffer to be printed out, before reversing the paper by one line at the current
vertical spacing. If no data precedes this command or if the preceding data consists of
spaces, the code causes only a reverse line feed to be performed. When the line counter
is equal to or less than the top of the form value, the ESC ] is ignored.
ESC 5
Sets an automatic line feed after a carriage return. (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC 5 n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 35 n
Decimal Value 27 53 n
If nis equal to 1, this command sets an automatic line feed on receiving of a CR code. If nis
equal to 0, this command cancels the automatic line feed.
n Automatic line feed
0 Disabled
1 Enabled

A-3
ESC J
Advances paper n/180 inch. (IBM XL24 AGM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC J n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 4A n
Decimal Value 27 74 n
Range 1 < n< 255
This is a terminator code; it therefore causes the current contents of the print buffer to
be printed out before performing a single line feed of n/180 inch. This command is
cancelled after the line feed has been performed. The printing will restart after a line
feed from the column at which the command was sent.
ESC J
Advances paper n/216 inch. (IBM XL 24)
ASCII Code ESC J n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 4A n
Decimal Value 27 74 n
Range 1 < n< 255
This is a terminator code; it therefore causes the current contents of the print buffer to
be printed out before performing a single line feed of n/216 inch. The units used by
this command can be changed by the set vertical units command ESC [ \.
LF
Line Feed. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code LF
Hexadecimal Value 0A
Decimal Value 10
This is a terminator code; it therefore causes the current contents of the print buffer to be
printed out before advancing the paper by one line at the current vertical spacing. If no data
precedes the LF code, or if the preceding data consists of spaces, the code causes only a line
feed. When the line counter reaches the last line of the form (defined by software or function
menu), the LF code causes a skip to the 1st line of the next form or ejects a cut sheet, if loaded.
This code cancels the double width printing set by the SO code. In IBM mode, the column
counter is set to the 1St column if the automatic CR is selected. In EPSON mode, the column is
always set to the 1st column.

A-4
F
Fo or rm ma at t C Co on nt tr ro ol l
ESC $
Sets the absolute printing position. (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC & n1n2
Hexadecimal Value 1B 24 n1n2
Decimal Value 27 36 n1n2
Range 0 < n1< 255
0 < n2< 127
This command specifies the distance from the left margin where you want to print
subsequent characters. The default unit is 1/60 inch. The distance is in number of dots
and must be calculated using the following formula:
Margin distance = n1+ (n2x 256) x 1/60”+ (left margin)
Where n2is equal to:
1
[(horizontal position) –(left margin position)] x(
defined unit
)
INIT
256
Where n1is equal to:
1
[(horizontal position) –(left margin position)] x(
defined unit
)
MOD
256
If the selected position is outside the current right margin, the sequence will be
ignored.

A-5
ESC [ \
Sets vertical units. (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC [ \ m1m2t1… t4
Hexadecimal Value 1B 5B 5C m1m2t1… t4
Decimal Value 27 91 92 m1m2t1… t4
Range m1= 4
m2= 0
0 < t1< 255
0 < t2< 255
t3= 0
t4= 180 or 216
This command changes the base units for the graphics line spacing commands (ESC J,
ESC 3). The default value is 1/216 or 1/180 inch.
ESC \
Sets the relative horizontal print position. (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC \ n1n2
Hexadecimal Value 1B 5C n1n2
Decimal Value 27 92 n1 n2
Range 0 < n1 < 255
0 < n2< 127
This command moves the horizontal print position left or right from the current
position as specified by the following formula:
Horizontal position = (n2x 256) + n1) x (defined unit) + (current position)
For positive (right) movement:
Where n2is equal to:
1
[(horizontal position) –(current position)] x(
defined unit
)
INIT
256

A-6
Where n1is equal to:
1
[(horizontal position) –(current position)] x(
defined unit
)
MOD
256
For negative (left) movement:
Where n2is equal to:
1
[(current position) –(horizontal position)] x(
defined unit
)
32768-INIT
256
Where n1is equal to:
1
[(current position) –(horizontal position)] x(
defined unit
)
32768-MOD
256
The default unit is 1/120 inch in Draft mode and 1/180 inch in LQ mode. If it would
move the print position outside the printing area, the printer ignores this command.
ESC +
Sets n/360-inch line spacing. (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC + n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 2B n
Decimal Value 27 43 n
Range 0 < n< 255
This command sets the line spacing to n/360 inch. If the line spacing is changed, it
does not affect previous settings for vertical tabs or page length.

A-7
ESC / m
Selects the Vertical Format Unit (VFU) channel. (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC + n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 2F n
Decimal Value 27 47 n
Range 0 < n< 7
This command selects the vertical tab set m. The values for m specifies the number of
the tab set being changed. These sets of tabs are called vertical format unit (VFU)
channels.
ESC 0
Selects 1/8-inch line spacing. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC 0
Hexadecimal Value 1B 30
Decimal Value 27 48
This command causes line spacing to be set to 1/8 inch. If the line spacing is changed,
it does not affect previous settings for vertical tabs or page length.
ESC 1
Selects 7/72-inch line spacing. (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC 1
Hexadecimal Value 1B 31
Decimal Value 27 49
This command causes line spacing to be set to 7/72 inch.
ESC 2
Selects 1/6-inch line spacing. (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC 2
Hexadecimal Value 1B 32
Decimal Value 27 50
This command causes the line spacing to be set to 1/6 inch. If the line spacing is
changed, it does not affect previous settings for vertical tabs or page length.

A-8
ESC 2
Enables the line spacing set by ESC A command. (IBM XL24)
ASCII Code ESC 2
Hexadecimal Value 1B 32
Decimal Value 27 50
This command starts line spacing at a value that was set by ESC A..
ESC 3
Sets n/180-inch line spacing. (IBM XL24 AGM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC 3 n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 33 n
Decimal Value 27 51 n
Range 0 < n< 255
This command sets the line spacing to n/180 inch. If the line spacing is changed, it
does not affect previous settings for vertical tabs or page length.
ESC 3
Sets graphics line spacing at n/216 inch. (IBM XL24)
ASCII Code ESC 3 n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 33 n
Decimal Value 27 51 n
Range 0 < n< 255
This command sets graphics line spacing at n default unit defined by the ESC [ \
command. To move exactly n/216 inch, nmust be an integer multiple of 3.

A-9
ESC 4
Sets top of form (first printable line). (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC 4
Hexadecimal Value 1B 34
Decimal Value 27 52
This sequence sets the first line of the fanfold paper as the current paper position of
the form.
ESC A
Sets text line spacing at n/60 inch. (IBM XL24 AGM,EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC A n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 41 n
Decimal Value 27 65 n
Range 0 < n< 85
This command changes the default line spacing to n/60 inch. The new line spacing
value is immediately activated.
ESC A
Sets text line spacing at n/72 inch. (IBM XL24, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC A n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 41 n
Decimal Value 27 65 n
This command changes the line spacing to n/72 inch. The line spacing value is stored
and activated only after the ESC 2 code is received.

A-10
ESC B
Sets vertical tabs. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC B n1 …nx0
Hexadecimal Value 1B 42 n1... nx00
Decimal Value 27 66 n1... nx0
Range 1 < n< 255
In EPSON mode, sets vertical tab stops in the 0 Vertical Format Unit (VFU) channel.
This code sets up to 16 vertical tab stops at the line specified by n1, n2and so on in the
0 VFU channel. The tab stops are memorized as physical positions.
In IBM modes, this code sets up to 64 vertical tab stops at the line number specified by
n1, n2and so on in the 0 VFU channel. The line at top of form is line 1. The tab stops
are memorized as logical positions.
ESC b
Sets vertical tabs in VFU channels. (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC b m n1…n8
Hexadecimal Value 1B 62 m n1…n8
Decimal Value 27 98 m n1…n8
Range m= channel
This command sets vertical tabs in one of the 8 VFU channels available. n1-n8 tab
stops. Up to 16 tab stops can be set in each channel at the line specified by n1, n2and
so on in numerical ascending order.
ESC C 0
Sets form length to ninches. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC C 0 n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 43 00 n
Decimal Value 27 67 0 n
Range 1 < n< 22
This command sets the form length to the number of inches specified by n. The current
position of the paper is assumed as top of form. Setting the paper length cancels the
top and bottom-margin settings.

A-11
ESC C
Sets form length to nlines. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC C n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 43 n
Decimal Value 27 67 n
Range 1 < n< 127
This command sets the form length to the number of lines specified by nat the current
vertical spacing. The current position of the paper is assumed as top of form.
ESC D
Sets horizontal tabs. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC D n1n2…nx0
Hexadecimal Value 1B 44 n1n2…nx00
Decimal Value 27 68 n1n2…nx0
Range 1 < n< 255
This sequence sets up to 28 (IBM mode) or 32 (EPSON mode) horizontal tab stops
after canceling the current setting. The n1to nxparameters specify the number of
columns at which horizontal tab stops are required and must be entered in the
sequence in ascending numerical order. Any value outside this range will be ignored.
In IBM mode, the tab stop position is memorized as logical position in the page so that
it is affected by changing the horizontal spacing. The columns are numbered 1 through
136.
In EPSON mode, the tab stop position set by ESC D is memorized as physical position
in the page and therefore it is not affected by changing the horizontal spacing. The
physical position of the tab stop depends on the horizontal spacing in operation when
ESC D is used. The ESC D 0 cancels all active tab stops.

A-12
ESC d
Spaces forwards relative dot position. (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC d n1n2
Hexadecimal Value 1B 64 n1 n2
Decimal Value 27 100 n1n2
Range 0 < n1, n2< 255
This command moves the print carriage of a (n1+ (n2*256))/120 inch displacement on
the right of its current dot position. If the selected position is outside the current right
margin, it is forced to the last column.
ESC e
Spaces backwards relative dot position. (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC e n1n2
Hexadecimal Value 1B 65 n1 n2
Decimal Value 27 101 n1n2
Range 0 < n1, n2< 255
This command moves the print carriage of a (n1+ (n2*256))/120 inch displacement on
the left of its current dot position.

A-13
ESC l
Sets left margin (10 cpi). (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC l n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 6C n
Decimal Value 27 108 n
Range 0 < n< 255
This code sets the left margin at the current horizontal spacing. It must be sent at the
beginning of the line. The nparameter specifies the number of columns. For each type
of horizontal spacing there is a different range of possible values, as shown in the
following table.
Character Width Horizontal Spacing Range of columns
5 cpi 0 < n<67
6 cpi 0 < n<80
7.5 cpi 0 < n<100
8.5 cpi 0 < n<114
Double Width
10 cpi 0 < n<134
10 cpi 0 < n<134
12 cpi 0 < n<160
15 cpi 0 < n<201
17 cpi 0 < n<229
Normal
20 cpi 0 < n<255
Any value outside the accepted range is ignored and the previous setting remains in
effect. The left margin must be smaller than the right margin. The physical position
set for the left margin does not change if the horizontal spacing is modified. This
command overrides the menu setting.

A-14
ESC N
Sets the skipover perforation to nlines. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC N n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 4E n
Decimal Value 27 78 n
Range 1 < n< 127 (EPSON mode)
1 < n< 225 (IBM mode)
The skipover perforation is the sum of top and bottom margins values at the selected
vertical spacing. The nparameter must be less than the current form length. The
skipover is memorized as physical position on the page. It is cancelled by ESC O or
changing the form length.
The skipover value, when accepted, will set the top and bottom margins according to
the operator panel setting (see User Manual):
If the top margin set via operator panel is greater than the skipover value, then the
following value of the margins will be set:
Top margin = skipover value
Bottom margin = 0
If the top margin set via operator panel is less or equal to the skipover value, then
the following value of the margins will be set:
Top margin = operator panel value
Bottom margin = the difference between skipover value and top margin value
If the sum of the top and bottom margins values set via operator panel is less than
the skipover value, the following values for the margins will be set:
Top margin = operator panel value
Bottom margin = the difference between skipover value and top margin value

A-15
Changing the vertical spacing does not affect the skipover distance. This can be
changed by a further ESC N command or can be reset by the ESC O command, which
resets the skipover value to 0.
The skipover perforation will be executed when the end of the page is reached with a
LF, VT or FF code and not with the ESC J or ESC C command, the skipover
perforation is cancelled and must therefore be set again.
ESC O
Disables the skipover perforation. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC 0
Hexadecimal Value 1B 4F
Decimal Value 27 79
This sequence sets the number of lines of the skipover perforation to the value 0 and
so any skip perforation set by ESC N is cancelled.
ESC Q
Sets the right margin (10 cpi). (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC Q n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 51 n
Decimal Value 27 81 n
Range 1 < n< 255
This code sets the line length at the current horizontal spacing. It must be sent at the
beginning of the line. The nparameter specifies the number of columns and for each
type of horizontal spacing there is a range of values, as shown in the following table:

A-16
Character Width Horizontal Spacing Range of columns
5 cpi 1< n<68
6 cpi 2 < n<81
7.5 cpi 2 < n<102
8.5 cpi 2 < n<116
Double Width
10 cpi 2 < n<136
10 cpi 2 < n<136
12 cpi 4 < n<163
15 cpi 4 < n<204
17 cpi 4 < n<233
Normal
20 cpi 4 < n<255
Any value outside the accepted range is ignored and the previous setting remains in
effect. The right margin must be greater than the left margin. The physical position
set for the right margin does not change if the horizontal spacing is modified.
ESC R
Sets all tabs to power-on settings. (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC R
Hexadecimal Value 1B 52
Decimal Value 27 82
This command sets horizontal tab stops every eight columns starting from column 9
and cancels all vertical tab stops.

A-17
ESC SP
Sets intercharacter space. (EPSON)
ASCII Code ESC SP n
Hexadecimal Value 1B 20 n
Decimal Value 27 32 n
Range 0 < n< 255
This command sets the intercharacter space to n/120 inch in Draft printing and n/180
inch in Quality printing.
ESC X
Sets left and right margins. (IBM)
ASCII Code ESC X n1n2
Hexadecimal Value 1B 58 n1n2
Decimal Value 27 88 n1n2
Range 0 < n1, n2< 255
This command specifies left and right margin positions. The n1and n2parameters
indicate respectively the number of columns for the left and right margins at the
current spacing. These margins are memorized in terms of absolute displacement from
the physical left edge of the page.
If n1is equal to 0, the current left margin of the page is used. If n2 is equal to 0, the current
right margin of the page is used. The left margin value must be less than the right margin
value. The right margin value must not exceed the physical right edge of the paper;
otherwise the maximum acceptable value for the right margin will be set.

A-18
FF
Advances paper to the top of the next page. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code FF
Hexadecimal Value 0C
Decimal Value 12
This code is a terminator code, when received, causes all data in the print buffer to be
printed out. Then it advances the paper to the first printable line of the next form. The
line counter is set to the first line value and the column counter is set to the left
margin value. This code cancels the double width printing set by SO code.
HT
Horizontal Tab. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code HT
Hexadecimal Value 09
Decimal Value 9
This code moves logically the print carriage to the next horizontal tab stop as defined
by ESC D. In IBM mode, up to 28 horizontal tab stops can be set. The HT code is
ignored if no tab stop has been set or if the current print carriage position has moved
past the last tab position or if the tab stop is on or beyond the right margin. At power
on, the tab stops are set every eight columns (default). The horizontal tab stops can be
changed by the ESC D command.
In EPSON mode, up to 32 horizontal tab stops can be set. The default tab stops are
memorized as logical position in the page, so that are affected by changing the
horizontal spacing. The tab stop positions set by ESC D are memorized as physical
position in the page and therefore they are not affected by changing the horizontal
spacing. When the double width printing is selected, the tab stop setting must take
account that each character occupies two columns. Character scoring (underline,
overscore and strikethrough) is not printed between the current print position and the
next tab when this command is sent.

A-19
VT
Vertical Tab. (IBM, EPSON)
ASCII Code VT
Hexadecimal Value 0B
Decimal Value 11
This code is a terminator code and when received causes the contents of the print
buffer to be printed before advancing paper to the next vertical tab stop set by the
ESC B command.
This code will be executed normally, if vertical tab stops follow the current print
position. It will be executed like a FF code (EPSON mode) or like a LF code (IBM
mode), if the vertical tab stops follow the bottom of form position (which corresponds to
the form length if the bottom of form has not been set) or if the current position is
beyond the last vertical tab stop. It will be executed like an LF code if no vertical tab
stops have been set by the ESC B command. In EPSON mode, the vertical tabulations
are referred to the VHF channel selected by the ESC / m. If no VFU channels have
been selected, the printer assumes as default channel 0.
This command resets the double width printing set by SO or ESC SO command.