Ithaca PcOS series 90plus Manual

P OS
cSERIES 90PLUS Receipt/Validation/Journal Printers
PROGRAMMER'S
GUIDE Rev M
PN: 100-7586

Programmer's Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS Change History
12/16/99 Rev M Page i
Change History
Rev. M
Updated bookmarks in the Code Summary Table
Added Section 3.6.2.2 and Table 4
Updated MICR section
Added Euro Character on page 33
Corrected Cash Drawer Command on page 72
Updated “Service Information” section
Updated “Contacting Ithaca Peripherals” section
Rev. L
Clarified cash drawer connectors on page 144
Changed IEEE-1284 to IEEE 1284 and Code 3 of 9 to Code 39
Rev. K
Reformatted entire document
Corrected miscellaneous grammar and spelling mistakes
Rev. J Update for Firmware Rev. 2.24
Corrected Epson documentation
Added documentation for justified bar codes and readable printing of bar codes
Added documentation for Bar code 93
Rev. I Update for Firmware Rev. 2.21
Corrected documentation for ENQ 15, 17, and 20 commands; length was 40H changed to 40 decimal
Added [ESC] z (&%FR) from release commands
Added features to graphic-save
Added OCR overlay features
Corrected miscellaneous grammar and spelling mistakes
Rev. H Update for Firmware Rev. 2.15
Improved description of pass-through and multidrop
Added features to [ESC]a command
Added 90PLUS
Removed references to Ithaca Peripherals
Corrected description of Mechanical Test Mode
Updated several graphic examples
Rev. G Update for Firmware Rev. 2.13
Added narrow, 2.4 inch print zone
Added [ESC]mP, [ESC]q<n>, and [ENQ]<17> commands
Changed documentation on [ENQ] commands to reflect that they are no longer buffered
Documented Epson cash drawer option
Fixed right margin specifications
Rev. F Update for Firmware Rev. 2.11
Added functionality to the RESET commands
Enabled [DLE][ENQ] <3> EPOS
Added M50 extension commands
Added 270°rotated font and 5 x 7 fonts to [ESC]P commands
Changed IPCL command &%CC to accept 3 decimal digits, was 2 decimal digits
Corrected the description of the [ESC]J command. It does not start the next line at the left margin unless Auto-CR is on.
Updated the configuration table
Changed RS1284 references to IEEE-1284
Added Welsh and Thai character sets
Updated the cut command. The cutter does not have selectable cut. The cut command is now only 2 bytes.
Updated MICR section to include translation tables and field checking
Added 5 x 7 font to rotated print functions
Added sections on Windows Plug and Play
Added [ENQ]<20> (return all status) and [ENQ]<21> (return printer ID) commands

Change History PcOS Series 90PLUSProgrammer's Guide
Page ii Rev M 12/16/99
Added commands to allow the host to define a unique code page
Added autocutter position information
Added multidrop addressing
Added, “The cash drawer will only provide 1.0 amp at 24V.”
Rev. E Update for Firmware Rev. 2.07
Added 50 international language code pages
Altered Character Sets I and II. The printer no longer supports Character Set I and II. The printer is always in Set II.
Changed IPCL &%CP to support 4-digit code page descriptions
Extended the EPOS [ESC]R to support enhanced language sets
Updated code page table descriptions
Removed the Prerelease Change History
Corrected minimum slip width specification in the text for Figure 4
Rev D Update for Firmware Rev 2.05
Updated and clarified descriptions in the communication section
Added description of CTS and DSR controls
Added MICR commands and references to MICR Programmer’s Guide
Updated configuration section to include MICR and communication CTS/RTS/DTR/DSR options
Added [ESC]y<2> and <3> commands to switch between EPOS and Normal modes
Added 4-inch resume on paper out
Rev C Update
Removed IPCL command for set rotated print line spacing
Shortened graphic-save buffer from 2014 characters to 2000
Removed second parameter of [ESC] [EM] B; set bar code height
Changed all validation and slip control IPCL commands to accept decimal parameters instead of binary
Removed set left and right margin IPCL commands
Removed set dynamic response from [ESC]y group and defined [ESC] to replace it
Updated inquire descriptions to reflect preprocessing of ENQ commands; previously, ENQ commands were processed with other commands.
Changed ENQ descriptions in the communication section to reflect command preprocessing
Reversed parallel port responses to ENQ 1, 2, 5, 6, and 11; updated CFG90 to match
Reversed serial port responses to ENQ 7 and 8; updated CFG90 to match
Redefined ENQ 9 to represent inquire buffer status
Added Epson mode [DLE] [EOT] and [DLE] [ENQ] commands
Rev B Update
Added eject wait and pause commands and configuration information
Added print suppress and display pass-through to both EPOS and Normal modes
Updated CFG90 to deal with the new modes
Rev A Initial Release

Programmer's Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS Disclaimer
12/16/99 Rev M Page iii
Disclaimer
Information in this publication is subject to change without notice. However, as product improvements become
available, Ithaca Peripherals will make every effort to provide updated information for the products described in
this publication.
Ithaca Peripherals 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
1995-1999 Ithaca Peripherals. All rights reserved.
November 1999
Printed in USA.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Ithaca
Peripherals.
Trademarks
PcOS is a registered trademark of Ithaca Peripherals. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines, Inc. Epson is a registered trademark of the Seiko Epson Corporation. Microsoft is a registered
trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Windows, Windows NT, and Plug and Play are trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.

PcOS Series 90PLUS Programmer's Guide
Page iv Rev M 12/16/99

Programmer’s Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS Table of Contents
12/16/99 Rev M Page v
Table of Contents
1Overview of the Series 90PLUS Printer........................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Warranty Information............................................................................................................................ 1
1.1.1 Warranty Options.................................................................................................................. 1
1.1.2 Service Information............................................................................................................... 1
1.2 What is in this book?............................................................................................................................. 1
1.2.1 Who should read this book?................................................................................................... 1
1.2.2 What does it cover?............................................................................................................... 1
1.2.3 Where can you find more information?.................................................................................. 2
1.2.4 Contacting Ithaca Peripherals................................................................................................ 2
1.2.4.1 Internet Support............................................................................................................ 2
2General Descriptions....................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Series 90PLUS Models .......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Standard Features.................................................................................................................................. 3
2.3 Receipt Printer....................................................................................................................................... 3
2.4 Receipt/Journal Printer.......................................................................................................................... 4
2.5 Receipt/Journal/Validation Printer......................................................................................................... 4
2.6 Receipt/Validation Printer ..................................................................................................................... 4
3General Specifications..................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Printing Specifications........................................................................................................................... 5
3.1.1 Character Generation............................................................................................................ 5
3.2 Physical Specifications .......................................................................................................................... 7
3.2.1 Dimensions........................................................................................................................... 7
3.2.2 Weight.................................................................................................................................. 7
3.3 Electrical Characteristics....................................................................................................................... 7
3.3.1 Self-powered AC................................................................................................................... 7
3.3.2 Interface Specifications ......................................................................................................... 8
3.3.2.1 Serial............................................................................................................................ 8
3.3.2.2 Parallel ......................................................................................................................... 8
3.3.2.3 Cash Drawer................................................................................................................. 8
3.4 Media Specifications.............................................................................................................................. 8
3.4.1 Ribbon .................................................................................................................................. 8
3.4.2 Receipt Paper........................................................................................................................ 8
3.4.3 Receipt/Journal Paper............................................................................................................ 9
3.4.4 Inserted Slips and Forms....................................................................................................... 9
3.5 Slip Sensor.......................................................................................................................................... 10
3.6 Printable Area ..................................................................................................................................... 11
3.6.1 Receipt Printing .................................................................................................................. 11
3.6.1.1 Receipt Printing without the Autocutter ...................................................................... 11
3.6.1.2 Receipt Printing with the Autocutter ........................................................................... 12
3.6.2 Validation Forms Printing................................................................................................... 13
3.6.2.1 Validation Forms Insertion ......................................................................................... 13
3.6.2.2 Validation Forms Sensing........................................................................................... 14
3.6.3 Inserted Forms Printing....................................................................................................... 14
3.6.3.1 Inserted Forms Guidelines........................................................................................... 15
3.6.4 MICR Reader...................................................................................................................... 16
4Control Codes Overview ............................................................................................................................... 17
4.1 Nomenclature...................................................................................................................................... 17

Table of Contents PcOS Series 90PLUS Programmer's Guide
Page vi Rev M 12/16/99
4.1.1 Standard Emulation ............................................................................................................ 18
4.1.2 EPOS Emulation................................................................................................................. 18
4.1.3 IPCL Codes......................................................................................................................... 18
4.2 Application Development .................................................................................................................... 18
4.3 Tables and Charts................................................................................................................................ 18
5Printer Control Codes.................................................................................................................................... 19
5.1 Print/Paper Motion.............................................................................................................................. 19
5.1.1 Low-level Paper Motion Control ......................................................................................... 19
5.1.2 Horizontal Motion Control.................................................................................................. 20
5.2 Vertical Motion Control ...................................................................................................................... 22
5.3 Character Font..................................................................................................................................... 26
5.4 International Character Sets and Code Pages....................................................................................... 28
1.5 Character Print Control ....................................................................................................................... 34
1.6 Character Pitch.................................................................................................................................... 35
1.7 Character Attribute Commands ........................................................................................................... 37
1.8 Print Rotation Commands.................................................................................................................... 43
1.9 Graphic Mode...................................................................................................................................... 49
1.9.1 Standard APA Graphics...................................................................................................... 49
1.9.2 Extended APA Graphics ..................................................................................................... 51
1.9.3 EPOS Bit Image Graphics................................................................................................... 52
1.9.4 Graphic Save....................................................................................................................... 53
1.9.4.1 Programming Considerations...................................................................................... 53
1.10 Bar codes............................................................................................................................................. 56
1.11 Station Control.................................................................................................................................... 59
1.11.1 Receipt Operation................................................................................................................ 59
1.11.1.1 Receipt Paper-error Sensor.......................................................................................... 60
1.11.2 Validation and Slip Operation............................................................................................. 62
1.11.2.1 Top Insertion Validation............................................................................................. 62
1.11.2.1.1 Validation Controlled by the Host System...................................................... 62
1.11.2.1.2 Validation Controlled by the Printer.............................................................. 62
1.11.2.2 Front Inserted Validation............................................................................................ 63
1.11.2.2.1 Slip Printing.................................................................................................. 63
1.11.2.3 Mode Selection ........................................................................................................... 63
1.11.3 Top Validation Operation.................................................................................................... 64
1.11.4 Front Slip Operation ........................................................................................................... 65
1.11.5 Validation and Slip Operation Control................................................................................ 66
1.12 MICR Reader ...................................................................................................................................... 72
1.12.1 Overview............................................................................................................................. 72
1.13 Miscellaneous Controls........................................................................................................................ 77
1.14 Series 50 Compatibility Commands..................................................................................................... 81
1.15 Printer Status Set/Inquire..................................................................................................................... 82
1.15.1 Parallel, Non-IEEE 1284 Mode Inquire............................................................................... 82
1.15.2 Serial Mode Inquire ............................................................................................................ 83
1.15.3 Parallel, IEEE 1284 Mode Inquire....................................................................................... 83
1.15.4 Dynamic Response Mode .................................................................................................... 83
1.15.5 Inquire Commands.............................................................................................................. 84
1.16 Extended Diagnostic Commands ......................................................................................................... 92
1.17 EPOS Codes........................................................................................................................................ 94
1.17.1 Real-time Status.................................................................................................................. 94
1.17.2 EPOS Command Summary ................................................................................................. 94

Programmer's Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS Table of Contents
12/16/99 Rev M Page vii
1.17.3 EPOS Deviations................................................................................................................. 97
1.17.3.1 Command Descriptions............................................................................................... 97
1.18 Control Codes Summary by Code .......................................................................................................104
1.19 Control Codes Summary by Function..................................................................................................109
6Operator Panel Controls...............................................................................................................................115
6.1 Push Buttons - Momentary Switches...................................................................................................115
6.2 Indicators ...........................................................................................................................................115
6.3 Fault Indicators ..................................................................................................................................116
7Product Self Tests ........................................................................................................................................117
7.1 Level 0 Diagnostics ............................................................................................................................117
7.2 Extended Diagnostics .........................................................................................................................117
7.2.1 Self-test Mode....................................................................................................................117
7.2.2 Hex Dump Mode................................................................................................................118
7.2.3 Configuration Mode...........................................................................................................118
7.2.3.1 Initial Power On.........................................................................................................118
7.2.3.2 Manual Configuration................................................................................................118
7.2.3.3 Enable Remote Configuration ....................................................................................120
7.2.3.4 Feature Configuration................................................................................................120
8Communication Protocol and Print Buffers ..................................................................................................134
8.1 Overview............................................................................................................................................134
8.2 Parallel Port........................................................................................................................................137
8.2.1 Parallel Port Protocol .........................................................................................................137
8.2.2 Printer Buffer Size .............................................................................................................138
8.2.2.1 One-line Mode...........................................................................................................138
8.2.3 Parallel Port Inquire IEEE 1284.........................................................................................138
8.2.3.1 Buffer ........................................................................................................................139
8.2.3.2 Mode 4.......................................................................................................................139
8.2.3.3 Mode 0.......................................................................................................................139
8.2.3.4 Time outs...................................................................................................................139
8.2.3.5 Active State................................................................................................................140
8.2.3.6 Inquire Responses......................................................................................................140
8.2.4 Parallel Port Inquire (Non-IEEE 1284)...............................................................................140
8.2.5 Parallel Port Plug and Play.................................................................................................141
8.2.6 Parallel Port Connector ......................................................................................................143
8.2.7 Signal Levels......................................................................................................................143
8.3 Serial Port ..........................................................................................................................................144
8.3.1 Serial Port Features............................................................................................................144
8.3.2 Serial Port Pin out..............................................................................................................144
8.3.2.1 Signal Levels .............................................................................................................145
8.3.3 Serial Port Protocol ............................................................................................................145
8.3.4 Print Buffer Flow ...............................................................................................................147
8.3.5 Printer Buffer Size .............................................................................................................149
8.3.5.1 One-line Mode...........................................................................................................149
8.3.6 Serial Mode Plug and Play .................................................................................................150
8.3.6.1 Using DSR.................................................................................................................150
8.3.6.2 Serial Device Identification........................................................................................150
8.3.7 Serial Port Inquire..............................................................................................................151
8.4 Remote Printer Reset..........................................................................................................................152
8.4.1 Reset in Serial Mode ..........................................................................................................152

Table of Contents PcOS Series 90PLUS Programmer's Guide
Page viii Rev M 12/16/99
8.4.2 Reset in Parallel Mode .......................................................................................................152
8.5 Miscellaneous Communication Features.............................................................................................153
8.5.1 Power-cycle Recovery.........................................................................................................153
8.5.2 Data Pass-through..............................................................................................................153
8.5.3 Multidrop Configuration ....................................................................................................153
8.5.4 Off-line Active...................................................................................................................154
8.6 Programmer’s Notes...........................................................................................................................154
9Cash Drawer Interface..................................................................................................................................155
9.1 Interface Description ..........................................................................................................................155
9.2 Interface Connectors...........................................................................................................................155
10 Printing Graphics.........................................................................................................................................156
10.1 Character Graphics.............................................................................................................................156
10.2 APA Graphics ....................................................................................................................................158

Programmer's Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS Table of Figures
12/16/99 Rev M Page ix
Table of Figures
Figure 1 Single-wide character............................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 2 Character forming.................................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 3 Physical dimensions................................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 4 Slip form size......................................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 5 Slip paper print...................................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 6 Receipt printable area............................................................................................................................. 11
Figure 7 Receipt printable area............................................................................................................................. 11
Figure 8 Receipt autocutter position..................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 9 Validation print with normal and narrow print zones............................................................................. 13
Figure 10 Inserted slip using normal and narrow print zone................................................................................. 14
Figure 11 Normal and narrow print zone rotated print ......................................................................................... 15
Figure 12 Multipart forms.................................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 13 Data sent to printer for a fine line feed ................................................................................................. 22
Figure 14 Example of fine line feed...................................................................................................................... 22
Figure 15 Examples of print at various character pitch......................................................................................... 35
Figure 16 Data sent to printer for one-line double-wide print ............................................................................... 37
Figure 17 Example of one-line double-wide print................................................................................................. 37
Figure 18 Example of underline, enhanced, emphasized, superscript, and subscript print..................................... 42
Figure 19 ............................................................................................................................................................. 48
Figure 20 PE to ENQ request timing.................................................................................................................... 83
Figure 21 Typical POS system ............................................................................................................................134
Figure 22 Host to printer link..............................................................................................................................134
Figure 23 Printer communications buffer flow.....................................................................................................135
Figure 24 Parallel port data timing......................................................................................................................137
Figure 25 ............................................................................................................................................................138
Figure 26 PE to ENQ request timing...................................................................................................................141
Figure 27 Serial port flow control using DTR......................................................................................................145
Figure 28 XON/XOFF serial port flow control ....................................................................................................146
Figure 29 Serial buffer operation.........................................................................................................................147
Figure 30 Print controller using data...................................................................................................................148
Figure 31 Inquire flow ........................................................................................................................................151
Figure 32 Receipt with extended graphic characters............................................................................................157
Figure 33 Receipt with APA graphics .................................................................................................................158
Figure 34 9-pin female to 9-pin female serial interconnect..................................................................................163
Figure 35 9-pin female to 25-pin female serial interconnect................................................................................163

Table of Tables PcOS Series 90PLUS Programmer's Guide
Page xRev M 12/16/99
Table of Tables
Table 1 Character specifications............................................................................................................................. 5
Table 2 Power input requirements.......................................................................................................................... 8
Table 3 Validation lines....................................................................................................................................... 13
Table 4 Ten line validation option........................................................................................................................ 13
Table 5 Language table identification................................................................................................................... 29
Table 6 EPOS language table identification.......................................................................................................... 29
Table 7 Code page definition table....................................................................................................................... 30
Table 8 EPOS code page definition table.............................................................................................................. 30
Table 9 OCR-MA2............................................................................................................................................... 32
Table 10 Euro character Substitution Matrix........................................................................................................ 33
Table 11 Print modes........................................................................................................................................... 34
Table 12 Intercharacter spacing table................................................................................................................... 36
Table 13 Rotated print spacing with 7 x 9 font..................................................................................................... 43
Table 14 Rotated print spacing with 5 x 7 font..................................................................................................... 44
Table 15 Amount of paper left when paper low is sensed...................................................................................... 60
Table 16 Values for the left and right print margins............................................................................................. 70
Table 17 MICR status fields................................................................................................................................. 74
Table 18 MICR translation characters.................................................................................................................. 76
Table 19 Printer states.........................................................................................................................................115
Table 20 Level 0 diagnostics...............................................................................................................................117
Table 21 Parallel port pin outs ............................................................................................................................143
Table 22 Serial bit rates ......................................................................................................................................144
Table 23 Serial port pin out.................................................................................................................................144
Table 24 Ithaca cash drawer connector................................................................................................................155
Table 25 Epson/Axiohm cash drawer connector..................................................................................................155
Table 26 Code page definitions...........................................................................................................................161
Table 27 ASCII code chart..................................................................................................................................162

Programmer's Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS Overview
12/16/99 Rev M Page 1
1Overview of the Series 90PLUS Printer
1.1 Warranty Information
1.1.1 Warranty Options
All Ithaca Peripherals Series 90PLUS printers come with a standard 24-month warranty covering both
parts and labor. An optional warranty, covering both parts and labor for an additional 12 months, may be
purchased separately.
For more information concerning the warranty options, please contact your dealer or the Sales Department
at Ithaca Peripherals. See “Contacting Ithaca Peripherals” on page 2.
1.1.2 Service Information
Ithaca Peripherals has a full service organization to meet your printer service and repair requirements.
If your printer needs service, please directly contact Ithaca Peripherals’ Technical Support Department at
[phone] for a return authorization.
Ithaca Peripherals offers the following service programs to meet your needs:
•Extend Warranty
•Depot Repair
•Maintenance Contract
1.2 What is in this book?
1.2.1 Who should read this book?
This book is intended for system engineers or integrators. It contains the information needed to integrate
the Series 90PLUS Printer with a point-of-sale terminal and to program the terminal to communicate with
the printer.
1.2.2 What does it cover?
The programmer's guide provides the following material:
•Start-up information including diagnostics and fault conditions;
•Command descriptions;
•Character fonts;
•Printer features;
•Parallel and RS-232 interface information;
•Communications and buffers; and
•Command code reference tables.

Overview PcOS Series 90PLUS Programmer's Guide
Page 2Rev M 12/16/99
1.2.3 Where can you find more information?
An Operator's Guide is available that describes the set up and use of the Series 90PLUS Printer. It
describes basic procedures such as changing paper; printing on a slip or form; and replacing the ribbon
cassette. A Maintenance Manual is also available. It shows how to repair the Series 90PLUS Printer and
lists the replacement parts. The Maintenance Manual is intended for trained, service technicians. For
information about ordering these books or programs, refer to the next section.
In addition, there are a number of drivers available that will support various environments.
Windows 95 Print Driver with Documentation Part No. 100-9167
Windows NT 4.0 Print Driver with Documentation Part No. 100-9170
OPOS Drivers with Documentation Part No. 100-9732
MICR Programmer’s Guide Part No. 100-9094
Master Character Set Definitions Part No. 100-9785
1.2.4 Contacting Ithaca Peripherals
The Sales and Technical Support Departments will be able to help you with most of your questions.
Contact the Technical Support Department to receive technical support, order documentation, receive
additional information about the Series 90PLUS Printer, obtain information about your warranty, or send
a printer in for service. To order supplies or receive information about other Ithaca Peripherals products,
contact the Sales Department.
You may reach both the Sales and Technical Support Departments at the following address and telephone
or fax numbers:
Ithaca Peripherals
20 Bomax Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850
Main telephone [phone]
Main fax [phone]
Sales fax [phone]
Technical Support fax [phone]
Technical Support E-mail [email protected]
1.2.4.1 Internet Support
Ithaca Peripherals maintains an Internet web site. The address is http://www.ithper.com. On the
technical support page, you will find support information on all of our printers. The Series 90PLUS
Printer support pages offer the latest information. They include the current version of this manual;
program examples; test procedures; programming instructions; and all supported print drivers.

Programmer's Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS General Descriptions
12/16/99 Rev M Page 3
2General Descriptions
2.1 Series 90PLUS Models
There are four basic models of the Series 90PLUS Printer. They are:
Model 91PLUS Receipt printer;
Model 92PLUS Receipt/Journal printer;
Model 93PLUS Receipt/Journal/Validation printer; and
Model 94PLUS Receipt/Validation printer.
2.2 Standard Features
The following features are common to the entire family of printers:
•340 cps logic-seeking print speed;
•5 inches per second paper feed speed;
•2.4 and 2.8 inch print zones;
•Snap on ribbon cassettes;
•Dual cash drawer drivers with status;
•Centronics parallel, IEEE 1284 or serial RS-232C interfaces;
•Configurable receiver buffers;
•Standard and Epson command emulations1;
•Standard all-points-addressable (APA) or EPOS bit-image graphics;
•Standard and EPOS International Character Sets;
•8, 10, 12, 15, 17.1, 20, and 24 characters per inch (cpi) selections;
•Custom logo graphic print buffer in nonvolatile memory;
•Emphasized, enhanced, double-wide, double-high, double-wide double-high, half-high, underline,
subscript, superscript, and rotated printing;
•Operator-visible print zones;
•Self-diagnostics; and
•Setup and configuration utility programs.
2.3 Receipt Printer
The Model 91PLUS receipt printer only provides receipt functions. The last line printed on the receipt is
within 0.7 inch of the tear-off or cut-off edge of the receipt. The receipt printing appears right-side up with the
total at the bottom as the receipt appears from the top of the printer and is presented to the operator.
The receipt printer handles one-, two-, or three-ply paper. The optional cutter is able to cut one- and two-ply
paper.
1Other emulation’s can be made available. Contact Ithaca Peripherals’ Sales Department for more information.

General Descriptions PcOS Series 90PLUS Programmer's Guide
Page 4Rev M 12/16/99
The receipt printer does not have the ability to validate or handle slips. Commands that operate validation and
slip modes of other Series 90PLUS Printers will not function.
2.4 Receipt/Journal Printer
The Model 92PLUS receipt/journal printer adds the journal feature to the Model 91PLUS receipt printer. The
journal take-up is able to rewind the second copy of the 3.5-inch diameter 2-ply paper roll (125 feet).
The receipt/journal printer does not have the ability to validate or handle slips. Commands that operate
validation and slip modes of other Series 90PLUS Printers will not function.
2.5 Receipt/Journal/Validation Printer
The Model 93PLUS printer adds an independent validation capability to the Model 92PLUS. There are two
methods of form validation on the Model 93PLUS.
1. Top insertion validation. The form is inserted from the top and extends out the left side and/or top of the
printer. It rests on a fixed form stop. Under software control, printing can be from a minimum of two lines
to a maximum of 17 lines at 42 characters. Throughout this manual, top insertion will be termed
“Validation Mode.”
2. Front inserted validation. The form is inserted from the front and extends out the left side and/or front of
the printer. In front insertion mode, the form is loaded to the first line of print under firmware control.
Printing then begins from the top of the form down. Throughout this manual, front insertion will be
termed “Slip Mode.”
All Series 90PLUS validation printers have both validation and slip modes. The validation/slip movement is
independently controlled from the movement of the receipt and journal. Either can be moved alone or in sync
with the receipt/journal movement. The validation/slip movement will be under software control but set to
independent validation by default.
2.6 Receipt/Validation Printer
The Model 94PLUS receipt/validation printer adds validation to the Model 91PLUS described above. The
Model 94PLUS is a Model 93PLUS without journal take-up.

Programmer's Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS General Specifications
12/16/99 Rev M Page 5
3General Specifications
3.1 Printing Specifications
Printing method Impact dot matrix
Head wire arrangement 9 pins in a line
Print wire diameter 0.34 mm (0.012 inch)
Print wire pitch 0.353 mm (0.013 inch)
Printing directions Bidirectional, logic-seeking
Print zone 59.5 mm (2.4 inches) or 71.12 mm (2.83 inches)
Characters per second (cps) Refer to Table 1.
Characters per line (cpl) Refer to Table 1.
Characters per inch (cpi) Refer to Table 1.
Print Pitch Capability
(in characters per inch) Normal 2.8”
Maximim
Characters per Line
Narrow 2.4”
Maximum
Characters per Line
Series 90PLUS
Characters per
Second
8 22 19 220
10 28 24 275
12 34 28 330
15 42 36 340
17.1 (condensed) 48 41
(40 in M50 mode) 340
20 (super-condensed) 56 48 340
24 (super-condensed) 68 57 340
5 (double-wide) 14 12 130
6 (double-wide) 17 14 160
7.5 (double-wide) 21 18 170
8.5 (condensed, double-wide) 24 20 170
10 (condensed, double-wide) 28 24 170
12 (super-condensed, double-wide) 34 28 170
Table 1Character specifications
3.1.1 Character Generation
All the character sets and modes are based on one of two character cells, 10 wide x 9 high or 12 wide x 9
high. Double-wide mode is twice the width of normal mode, 20 wide x 9 high or 24 wide x 9 high.
In utility print mode, the character cell consists of five full-dots and five half-dots horizontally by nine
full-dots vertically. The character is a 9 x 9 character. In high speed draft (HSD) mode, the character cell
is shortened by one half-dot and one full-dot column yielding a 7 x 9 character.
Each character is justified to the left of the cell. The first four columns of the full dots and the first three
columns of half dots are used to generate the character in high speed draft. In utility mode, the first five
columns of the full dots and the first four columns of the half dots are used. The last full-dot and the last
two half-dots are used for character spacing in both modes.

General Specifications PcOS Series 90PLUS Programmer's Guide
Page 6Rev M 12/16/99
The following illustration shows a single-wide character cell.
1 3 5 7 9 11
2 4 6 8 10 12
Full Dots
Half Dots
Descender (Rows 8 and 9)
and Underline (Row 9)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1 3 5 7 9
2 4 6 8 10
Character
spacing
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
High Speed Draft Mode Utility Mode
Character
spacing
Figure 1Single-wide character
The example above, which only holds true for the 12 cpi mode, shows full dots adjacent to each other in
the character cell. The 10 cpi mode allows a gap between adjacent full rows; 17 and 24 cpi allow an
overlap of full rows. The printer cannot print adjacent full and half dots in any single row. Some graphics
(double-density, half-speed) allow adjacent rows to be printed by slowing the print speed by half. Slowing
the print speed allows the time between half and full columns to be the same as the time between full
columns in full speed operation.
The following illustration shows the use of full and half dots as well as descenders to form characters.
1 3 5 7 9
2 4 6 8 10 1 3 5 7 9
2 4 6 8 10 1 3 5 7 9
2 4 6 8 10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Figure 2Character forming

Programmer's Guide PcOS Series 90PLUS General Specifications
12/16/99 Rev M Page 7
3.2 Physical Specifications
3.2.1 Dimensions
12.25” (311.2 mm)
7.30”
(185.4 mm)
6.0” (152.4 mm)
Figure 3Physical dimensions
3.2.2 Weight
Approximate weight 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
Shipping weight 13 pounds (5.9 kg)
3.3 Electrical Characteristics
3.3.1 Self-powered AC
The Series 90PLUS 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.

General Specifications PcOS Series 90PLUS Programmer's Guide
Page 8Rev M 12/16/99
Supply
Voltage
Rating (VAC)
Supply
Voltage
Range (VAC)
Frequency
(Hz) Rated Power
(watts)
Current Idle
(amps) Current Printing (amps)
100 - 240 90 - 264 47 - 63 45 0.08 @ 120VAC
0.04 @ 240VAC 0.5 @ 120VAC 0.25 @ 240VAC
Table 2Power input requirements
3.3.2 Interface Specifications
3.3.2.1 Serial
The serial interface is a standard RS-232 interface on a 9-pin, D-shell connector. It is defined as a
standard DTE device. A null modem cable is required to interface the printer to another DTE device
(a personal computer). See the serial port description later in this manual.
3.3.2.2 Parallel
The parallel port is a standard 25-pin, D-shell as defined in the IEEE 1284-A Standard. See the
parallel port description later in this manual.
3.3.2.3 Cash Drawer
The Series 90PLUS Printer supports dual cash drawers with status. The interface will provide status
and 24 VDC at up to 1.5 amps to the cash drawer. See the cash drawer interface description later in
this manual.
3.4 Media Specifications
3.4.1 Ribbon
Inking method cartridge type, 70.9-inch (1.8 m) seamless ribbon with reinker
Ink color black or purple
Ribbon life at 25°C3 million (black) or 4.5 million (purple) characters to ink depletion2
Manufacturer Only Ithaca Peripherals approved ribbons should be used.
3.4.2 Receipt Paper
Paper feed method friction feed
Paper feed pitch default, 1/8 inch; can be set in units of 1/216 inch by software command
Paper width 2.5, 3.0, or 3.25 inches (63.5, 76.2, or 82.6 mm)
Roll diameter 3.5 inches (88.9 mm)
Paper thickness at 25°C0.003 - 0.0035 inch (0.076 - 0.089 mm)
Roll paper core inside diameter 7/16 inch or more
2Ribbon must be from an approved manufacturer and tested with a rolling ASCII test pattern using 15 cpi in HSD
mode.