@node ESC/P2, New Printer, Weaving, Appendices
@appendix ESC/P2
@cindex ESC/P2
@menu
* ESC/P2 Introduction:: What is ESC/P2
* ESC/P2 Standard Commands:: Normal ESC/P2 commands
* ESC/P2 Remote Mode Commands:: Exotic ESC/P2 commands
* ESC/P2 Appropriate Remote Commands:: Useful remote command sequences
@end menu
@node ESC/P2 Introduction, ESC/P2 Standard Commands, , ESC/P2
@appendixsection Introduction to ESC/P2
@cindex ESC/P2 introduction
This is a description of the ESC/P2 raster commands used by the
gimp-print plugin and Ghostscript driver, which is a subset of the
complete command set. The full documents are found on
@url{http://www.ercipd.com/isv/edr_docs.htm}. Note that these are
@strong{not} always correct, and are certainly not complete.
All ESCP/2 raster commands begin with the @samp{ESC} character (1b hex),
followed by either one or two command characters and arguments where
applicable. Older commands generally have one command character. Newer
commands usually have a @samp{(} (left parenthesis) followed by a
command character and a byte count for the arguments that follow. The
byte count is a 16-bit (2 byte) binary integer, in little endian order.
All arguments listed here are of the form @samp{name[bytes]} where
@samp{[bytes]} is the number of bytes that comprise the argument. The
arguments themselves are usually one, two, or four byte integers, always
little endian (the least significant bits come first). Presumably this
is to match Intel processors.
In some cases, the same command sequence identifies different versions
of the same command, depending upon the number of bytes of arguments.
@node ESC/P2 Standard Commands, ESC/P2 Remote Mode Commands, ESC/P2 Introduction, ESC/P2
@appendixsection Standard commands
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC @@}
Reset the printer. Discards any output, ejects the existing page,
returns all settings to their default. Always use this before printing
a page.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (G @var{BC}=1 @var{ON1}}
Turn on graphics mode. @var{ON} should be @samp{1} (turn on graphics
mode).
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (U @var{BC}=1 @var{UNIT1}}
Set basic unit of measurement used by printer. This is expressed in
multiples of 1/3600". At 720 DPI, @var{UNIT} is @samp{5}; at 360 DPI,
@var{UNIT} is @samp{10}.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (U @var{BC}=5 @var{PAGEUNITS1} @var{VUNIT1} @var{HUNIT1} @var{BASEUNIT2}}
Set basic units of measurement used by the printer. @var{PAGEUNIT} is
the unit of page measurement (for commands that set page dimensions and
the like). @var{VUNIT} is the unit of vertical measurement (for
vertical movement commands). @var{HUNIT} is the unit of horizontal
movement (for horizontal positioning commands). All of these units are
expressed in @var{BASEUNIT}, which is in reciprocal inches. Typically,
@var{BASEUNIT} is @samp{1440}. In 720 DPI mode, @var{PAGEUNIT},
@var{VUNIT}, and @var{HUNIT} are all @samp{2}; in 1440x720 DPI mode,
@var{PAGEUNIT} and @var{VUNIT} are normally set to @samp{2}; @var{HUNIT}
is set to @samp{1}.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (K @var{BC}=2 @var{ZERO1} @var{GRAYMODE1}}
Set color or grayscale mode, on printers supporting an explicit
grayscale mode. These printers can be identified because they are
advertised as having more black nozzles than nozzles of individual
colors. Setting grayscale mode allows use of these extra nozzles for
faster printing. @var{GRAYMODE} should be @samp{0} or @samp{2} for
color, @samp{1} for grayscale. @var{ZERO} should always be @samp{0}.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (i @var{BC}=1 @var{MICROWEAVE1}}
If @var{MICROWEAVE} is @samp{1}, use microweave mode. On older
printers, this is used to turn on microweave; on newer printers, it
prints one row at a time. All printers support this mode. It should
only be used at 720 (or 1440x720) DPI. The Epson Stylus Pro series
indicates additional modes:
@table @samp
@item 2
``Full-overlap''
@item 3
``Four-pass''
@item 4
``Full-overlap 2''
@end table
Any of these commands can be used with the high four bits set to either
@samp{3} or @samp{0}.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC U @var{DIRECTION1}}
If @var{DIRECTION} is @samp{1}, print unidirectionally; if @samp{0},
print bidirectionally.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (s @var{BC}=1 @var{SPEED1}}
On some older printers, this controls the print head speed. @var{SPEED}
of @samp{2} is 10 inches/sec; SPEED of @samp{0} or 1 is 20.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (e @var{BC}=2 @var{ZERO1} @var{DOTSIZE1}}
Choose print dotsize. @var{DOTSIZE} can take on various values,
depending upon the printer. Almost all printers support @samp{0} and
@samp{2}. Variable dot size printers allow a value of @var{16}. Other
than the value of @var{16}, this appears to be ignored at resolutions of
720 DPI and above.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (C @var{BC}=2 @var{PAGELENGTH2}}
@deffnx {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (C @var{BC}=4 @var{PAGELENGTH4}}
Set the length of the page in "pageunits" (see @samp{ESC (U} above).
The second form of the command allows setting of longer page lengths on
new printers (these happen to be the printers that support variable dot
size).
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (c @var{BC}=4 @var{TOP2} @var{LENGTH2}}
@deffnx {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (c @var{BC}=8 @var{TOP4} @var{LENGTH4}}
Set the vertical page margins of the page in "pageunits" (see @samp{ESC
(U} above). The margins are specified as the top of the page and the
length of the page. The second form of the command allows setting of
longer page lengths on new printers (these happen to be the printers
that support variable dot size).
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (S @var{BC}=8 @var{WIDTH4} @var{LENGTH4}}
Set the width and length of the printed page region in "pageunits" (see
@samp{ESC (U} above).
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (v @var{BC}=2 @var{ADVANCE2}}
@deffnx {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (v @var{BC}=4 @var{ADVANCE4}}
Feed vertically @var{ADVANCE} "vertical units" (see @samp{ESC (U} above)
from the current print head position.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (V @var{BC}=2 @var{ADVANCE2}}
@deffnx {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (V @var{BC}=4 @var{ADVANCE4}}
Feed vertically @var{ADVANCE} "vertical units" (see @samp{ESC (U} above)
from the top margin.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC ($ @var{BC}=4 @var{OFFSET4}}
Set horizontal position to @var{OFFSET} from the left margin. This
command operates on printers of the 740 class and newer (all printers
with variable dot size).
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC $ @var{OFFSET2}}
Set horizontal position to @var{OFFSET} from the left margin. This
command operates on printers of the 740 class and newer (all printers
with variable dot size).
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (\ @var{BC}=4 @var{UNITS2} @var{OFFSET2}}
Set horizontal position to @var{OFFSET} from the previous print head
position, measured in @var{UNITS}. @var{UNITS} is measured in inverse
inches, and should be set to 1440 in all cases. This operates on all
1440 dpi printers that do not support variable dot size.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (/ @var{BC}=4 @var{OFFSET4}}
Set horizontal position to @var{OFFSET} from the previous print head
position, measured in "horizontal units" (see @samp{ESC (U} above).
This operates on all variable dot size printers.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC \ @var{OFFSET2}}
Set horizontal position to @var{OFFSET} from the previous print head
position, measured in basic unit of measurement (see @samp{ESC (U}
above). This is used on all 720 dpi printers, and can also be used on
1440 dpi printers in lower resolutions to save a few bytes. Note that
@var{OFFSET} may be negative. The range of values for this command is
between @samp{-16384} and @samp{16383}.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC r @var{COLOR1}}
@deffnx {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (r @var{BC}=2 @var{DENSITY1} @var{COLOR1}}
Set the ink color. The first form is used on four-color printers; the
second on six-color printers. @var{DENSITY} is @samp{0} for dark inks,
@samp{1} for light. @var{COLOR} is
@table @samp
@item 0
black
@item 1
magenta
@item 2
cyan
@item 4
yellow
@end table
This command is not used on variable dot size printers in softweave
mode.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC . @var{COMPRESS1} @var{VSEP1} @var{HSEP1} @var{LINES1} @var{WIDTH2} @var{data...}}
Print data. @var{COMPRESS} signifies the compression mode:
@table @samp
@item 0
no compression
@item 1
TIFF compression (incorrectly documented as "run length encoded")
@item 2
TIFF compression with a special command set.
@end table
@var{VSEP} depends upon resolution and printer type. At 360 DPI, it is
always @samp{10}. At 720 DPI, it is normally @samp{5}5. On the ESC
600, it is @samp{40} (@math{8 * 5}). On some other printers, it varies.
@var{HSEP1} is @samp{10} at 360 DPI and @samp{5} at 720 or 1440 DPI
(1440 DPI cannot be printed in one pass; it is printed in two passes,
with the dots separated in each pass by 1/720").
@var{LINES} is the number of lines to be printed. It should be @samp{1}
in microweave and 360 DPI. At 720 DPI softweave, it should be the
number of lines to be actually printed.
@var{WIDTH} is the number of pixels to be printed in each row.
Following this command, a carriage return (@samp{13} decimal, @samp{0A}
hex) should be output to return the print head position to the left
margin.
The basic data format is a string of bytes, with data from left to right
on the page. Within each byte, the highest bit is first.
The TIFF compression is implemented as one count byte followed by one or
more data bytes. There are two cases:
@enumerate
@item
If the count byte is @samp{128} or less, it is followed by @math{[count]
+ 1} data bytes. So if the count byte is @samp{0}, it is followed by 1
data byte; if it is @samp{128}, it is followed by 129 data bytes.
@item
If the count byte is greater than 128, it is followed by one byte. This
byte is repeated (257 - [count]) times. So if [count] is 129, the next
byte is treated as though it were repeated 128 times; if [count] is 255,
it is treated as though it were repeated twice.
@end enumerate
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC i @var{COLOR1} @var{COMPRESS1} @var{BITS1} @var{BYTES2} @var{LINES2} @var{data...}}
Print data in the newer printers (that support variable dot size), and
Stylus Pro models.
@var{COLOR} is the color:
@table @samp
@item 0
black
@item 1
magenta
@item 2
cyan
@item 4
yellow
@item 17
light magenta
@item 18
light cyan
@end table
@var{COMPRESS} signifies the
compression mode:
@table @samp
@item 0
no compression
@item 1
TIFF compression (incorrectly documented as "run length encoded")
@item 2
TIFF compression with a special command set.
@end table
@var{BITS} is the number of bits per pixel.
@var{BYTES} is the number of bytes wide for each row (@math{ceiling(BITS
* width_of_row, 8)}). Note that this is different from the @samp{ESC .}
command above.
@var{LINES} is the number of lines to be printed. This command is the
only way to get variable dot size printing. In variable dot mode, the
size of the dots increases as the value (@samp{1}, @samp{2}, or
@samp{3}) increases.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (D @var{BC}=4 @var{BASE2} @var{VERTICAL1} @var{HORIZONTAL1}}
Set printer horizontal and vertical spacing. It only applies to
variable dot size printers in softweave mode (and possibly other high
end printers).
@var{BASE} is the base unit for this command; it must be @samp{14400}.
@var{VERTICAL} is the distance in these units between printed rows; it
should be (@math{separation_in_nozzles * BASE / 720}).
@var{HORIZONTAL} is the horizontal separation between dots in a row.
Depending upon the printer, this should be either (@math{14400 / 720})
or (@math{14400 / 360}). The Stylus Pro 9000 manual suggests that the
settings should match the chosen resolution, but that is apparently not
the case (or not always the case) on other printers.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC (R @var{BC}=8 00 R E M O T E 1}
Enters ``remote mode''. This is a special, undocumented command set that
is used to set up various printer options, such as paper feed tray, and
perform utility functions such as head cleaning and alignment. It does
not appear that anything here is actually required to make the printer
print. Our best understanding of what is in a remote command sequence
is described in a separate section below.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 command} @code{ESC 01 @@EJL [sp] ID\r\n}
Return the printer ID. This is considered a remote mode command,
although the syntax is that of a conventional command. This returns the
following information:
@example
@@EJL ID\r
MFG:EPSON;
CMD:ESCPL2,BDC;
MDL:[printer model];
CLS:PRINTER;
DES:EPSON [printer model];
\f
@end example
@end deffn
After all data has been sent, a form feed byte should be sent.
All newer Epson printers (STC 440, STP 750) require the following
command to be sent at least once to enable printing at all. This
command specifically takes the printer out of the Epson packet mode
communication protocol (whatever that is) and enables normal data
transfer. Sending it multiple times is is not harmful, so it is
normally sent at the beginning of each job:
@example
ESC 01@@EJL[space]1284.4[newline]@@EJL[space][space][space][space]
[space][newline]ESC@@
@end example
The proper sequence of initialization commands is:
@example
magic command
ESC @
remote mode if needed
ESC (G
ESC (U
ESC (K (if appropriate)
ESC (i
ESC U (if needed)
ESC (s (if appropriate)
ESC (e
ESC (C
ESC (c
ESC (S
ESC (D (if needed)
ESC (V (optional -- this can be accomplished with ESC (v)
@end example
For printing, the proper sequence is:
@example
ESC (v
@end example
@noindent
and repeat for each color:
@example
ESC ($ @r{or} ESC (\ @r{or} ESC \
ESC (r @r{or} ESC r @r{(if needed---not used with @samp{ESC i} and not needed if the color
has not changed from the previous printed line)}
ESC . @r{or} ESC i ...data... [return] (0A hex)
@end example
To terminate a page:
@example
[formfeed] (0C hex)
ESC @@
@end example
@node ESC/P2 Remote Mode Commands, ESC/P2 Appropriate Remote Commands, ESC/P2 Standard Commands, ESC/P2
@appendixsection Remote Mode Commands
The following description of remote commands comes out of an
examination of the sequences used by the printer utilities bundled
with the Windows drivers for the ESC740, and from other sources (some
Epson manuals, experimentation, analysis of print files). It is
largely speculative as these commands are not all documented in the
Epson documentation we have access to. Generally, newer manuals
provide more thorough documentation.
Remote command mode is entered when the printer is sent the following
sequence:
@example
ESC (R BC=8 00 R E M O T E 1
@end example
Remote mode commands are then sent, and terminated with the following
sequence:
@example
ESC 00 00 00
@end example
All remote mode commands must be sent before the initial @samp{ESC (G}
command is sent.
This introductory sequence is then followed by a sequence of commands.
Each command is constructed as follows:
@itemize
@item Two ASCII bytes indicating the function
@item A byte count (two bytes, little-endian) for the parameters
@item Binary parameters, if any
@end itemize
This is a list of all remote commands we have seen:
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{NC @var{BC}=2 00 00}
Print a nozzle check pattern
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{VI @var{BC}=2 00 00}
on my 740, prints the following:
@example
W01286 I02382\r\n
@end example
@noindent
probably ``version information''
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* AI @var{BC}=3 00 00 00}
Prints a ``printer ID''. On one 870, prints the following:
@example
51-51-50-51-49-48\r\n
@end example
The Windows driver has a text entry field where this number can be
entered, but its purpose is unknown.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* LD @var{BC}=0}
Load printer defaults from NVRAM, DIP switches, and/or ROM. This
apparently does not load factory defaults per se, but any settings that
are saved. This is commonly used right at the end of each print job
after the @samp{ESC @@} printer reset command.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* CH @var{BC}=2 00 @var{xx}}
Perform a head cleaning cycle. The heads to clean are determined by
parameter @var{xx}:
@table @samp
@item 00
clean all heads
@item 01
clean black head
@item 02
clean color heads
@end table
While @var{xx} = @samp{00} is probably supported by all printers, @var{xx} =
@samp{01} and @samp{02} may well not be.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* DT @var{BC}=3 00 @var{xx} 00}
Print an alignment pattern. There are three patterns, which are picked
via the choice of @var{xx}. Pattern @samp{0} is coarse, pattern
@samp{1} is medium, and pattern @samp{2} is fine.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* DU @var{BC}=6 00 @var{xx} 00 09 00 @var{yy}}
Print another alignment pattern. It isn't entirely clear what @var{xx}
and @var{yy} are, but it appears that @var{xx} takes on the values
@samp{1} and @samp{2} , and @var{yy} takes on the values @samp{0} and
@var{1}. This may only work on the 580 and/or 480.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* DA @var{BC}=4 00 @var{xx} 00 @var{yy}}
Set results for the first alignment pattern. @var{xx} is the pattern
(@samp{1}--@samp{3}); @var{yy} is the best choice from the set
(@samp{1}--@samp{7} or @samp{1}--@samp{15}). This does not save to
NVRAM, so when the printer is powered off, the setting will be lost.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* DA @var{BC}=6 00 @var{xx} 00 @var{yy} 09 00}
Set results for alternate alignment pattern. @var{xx} appears to be the
pass, and @var{yy} appears to be the optimum pattern. This does not
save to NVRAM, so when the printer is powered off, the setting will be
lost.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* SV @var{BC}=0}
Save the current settings to NVRAM.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* RS @var{BC}=1 01}
Reset the printer.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* IQ @var{BC}=1 01}
Get ink quantity. This requires direct access to the printer port. The
return looks like
@example
IQ:KKCCMMYY
@end example
@noindent
or
@example
IQ:KKCCMMYYccmm
@end example
@noindent
(for 4-color and 6-color printers respectively), where each pair of
digits are hexadecimal representations of percent.
@end deffn
The following two commands have been observed on an STP 870.
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* IR @var{BC}=2 00 @var{xx}}
@strong{Function unknown}. This command has been observed on an STP 870
with @var{xx}=@samp{03} at the start of a job and @var{xx}=@samp{02} at
the end of a job (where it is followed by an @samp{LD} command). When
in roll mode, the values change to @var{xx}=@samp{01} at the start of a
job and @var{xx}=@samp{00} at the end of a job.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* FP @var{BC}=3 00 @var{xx} @var{yy}}
@var{xx}=@samp{00} and @var{yy}=@samp{00} selects the printer's normal
left margin (about 3mm). @var{xx}=@samp{0xb0} and @var{yy}=@samp{0xff}
selects zero-margin mode, where the left-most print position is shifted
to a point about 0.1" to the left of the left-hand edge of the paper,
allowing printing up to (and off) the left-hand edge of the paper.
@end deffn
The commands below are partially documented in the Stylus Pro 9000
manual. Much of this information is interpreted; none is tested.
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* SN @var{BC}=3 00 @var{xx} @var{yy}}
Select Mechanism Sequence. @var{xx} controls which sub-operation is
performed. @var{xx}=@samp{00} selects the ``Feed paper sequence
setting''. @var{yy} can take on the following values (on the STP 870,
at any rate):
@table @samp
@item 0
default
@item 1
plain paper
@item 2
postcards
@item 3
film (photo quality glossy film, transparencies)
@item 4
envelopes
@item 5
plain paper (fast load)
@item 6
back light film (although this has been observed with heavyweight matte
paper)
@item 7
matte paper (observed with 360 dpi inkjet paper, and photo quality
inkjet paper)
@item 8
photo paper
@end table
Experimentation suggests that this setting changes details of how the
printers' cut sheet feeder works, presumably to tune it for different
types of paper.
@var{xx}=@samp{01} controls the platen gap setting; @var{yy}=@samp{00}
is the default, @var{yy}=@samp{1} or @samp{2} are higher settings.
@var{xx}=@samp{02} controls paper loading speed (@var{yy}=@samp{0} is
normal, @samp{1} is fast, @samp{2} is slow). It appears that @samp{1}
is used when printing on ``plain paper'', ``360dpi ink jet paper'' or
``ink jet transparencies'', and @var{yy}=@samp{00} for all other paper
type settings.
@var{xx}=@samp{07} controls duplex printing for printers with that
capability (@var{yy}=@var{0} is default, for non-duplex printing;
@samp{1} is front side of the paper, and @var{2} is back side).
@var{xx}=@samp{09} controls zero margin printing on the printers with
the capability of printing zero-margin on all sides (Stylus Photo
780/790, 890, and 1280/1290). @var{yy}=@samp{0} is the default;
@samp{1} enables zero margin printing.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* PP @var{BC}=3 00 @var{xx} @var{yy}}
Set Paper Path. @var{xx}=@samp{2} indicates manual feed,
@var{xx}=@samp{3} is for roll paper. @var{yy} selects ``paper path
number''.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* AC @var{BC}=2 00 @var{xx}}
Set Auto Cutting State. @var{xx}=@samp{0} selects auto cutting off,
@var{xx}=@samp{1} selects auto cutting on, and @var{xx}=@samp{2}
indicates horizontal print page line on. It appears that with auto
cutting on, roll paper is cut automatically at the point a formfeed
character is sent. The formfeed character is normally used to eject a
page; with this turned on, it also cuts the roll paper. Horizontal
print page line on prints a narrow line of black dots at the position
the paper should be cut manually.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* DR @var{BC}=4 00 xx @var{DT2}}
Set Drying Time. @var{xx}=@samp{00} sets the drying time ``per scan''
(per pass?); @var{xx}=@samp{01} sets the drying time per page. @var{DT}
indicates the drying time, which is in seconds if page mode is used and
in milliseconds if scan mode is used. @var{DT} must not exceed 3600
seconds in per-page mode and 10000 milliseconds in per-scan mode.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* IK @var{BC}=2 00 @var{xx}}
Select Ink Type. @var{xx}=@samp{00} selects dye ink. Pigment ink is
apparently selected by @var{xx}=@samp{01}. This probably does not apply
to the consumer-grade printers.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* PZ BC=2 00 xx}
Set Pause After Printing. @var{xx}=@samp{00} selects no pause after
printing; @var{xx}=@samp{01} selects pause after printing. If turned
on, the printer is paused after the page is ejected (by the FF
byte). If cutting is turned on, the printer is paused @strong{after}
the cutting or printing of the horizontal cut line.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* EX @var{BC}=6 00 00 00 00 0x14 @var{xx}}
Set Vertical Print Page Line Mode. @var{xx}=@samp{00} is off,
@var{xx}=@samp{01} is on. If turned on, this prints vertical trim lines
at the left and right margins.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* EX @var{BC}=6 00 00 00 00 0x05 @var{xx}}
Set Roll Paper Mode. If @var{xx} is @samp{0}, roll paper mode is off;
if @var{xx} is @samp{1}, roll paper mode is on.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* EX @var{BC}=3 00 @var{xx} @var{yy}}
Appears to be a synonym for the @samp{SN} command described above.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* PH @var{BC}=2 00 @var{xx}}
Select Paper Thickness. Set the paper thickness @var{xx} in .1 mm
units. This must not exceed 0x10 (1.6 mm). If the thickness is set
"more than" .6 mm (which probably means "at least" .6 mm, since the
other case reads "less than 0.5 mm"), the platen gap is set high
irrespective of the @samp{SN} command.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* PM @var{BC}=2 00 00}
@strong{Function unknown}. Used on the STC 3000 at least when using roll
feed, and on the STP 870 in all print files analysed to date.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* ST @var{BC}=2 00 @var{xx}}
Epson's STP 750/1200 programming guide refers to the @samp{ST} command
as ``Set printer state reply''. If @var{xx} is @samp{0} or @samp{2},
the printer will not send status replies. If @var{xx} is @samp{1} or
@samp{3}, the printer will send status replies. The status replies
consist of state, error codes, ink leve, firmware version, and warning
status.
The actual reply is documented as
@example
@@BDC ST\r
ST: xx;
[ER: yy;]
IQ: n1n2n3n4;
[WR: w1,w2...;]
RV: zz;
AI:CW:02kkccmmyy, MI:mm
[TC:tttt;]
INK:...;
\f
@end example
@noindent
(@samp{\r} is carriage return; @samp{\n} is newline; @samp{\f} is
formfeed.)
@samp{ST} is the printer status:
@table @samp
@item 00
Error
@item 01
Self-test
@item 02
Busy
@item 03
Waiting while printing
@item 04
Idle
@item 07
Cleaning/filling ink heads
@item 08
Not yet initialized/filling heads
@end table
@samp{ER}, if provided, is the error status:
@table @samp
@item 00
Fatal error
@item 01
Interface not selected
@item 04
Paper jam
@item 05
Out of ink
@item 06
Paper out
@end table
@samp{IQ} is the amount of ink left, as a (decimal!) percentage
expressed in hexadecimal. The values are black, cyan, magenta, and
yellow (presumably 6-color printers supply light cyan and light magenta
inks as additional parameters).
@samp{WR}, if provided, is the warning status:
@table @samp
@item 10
Black ink low
@item 11
Cyan
@item 12
Magenta
@item 13
Yellow
@item 14
Light cyan (presumably)
@item 15
Light magenta (presumably)
@end table
@samp{RV} is the firmware revision (one byte ASCII).
@samp{AI} is actuator information. These are two byte ASCII codes that
indicate ``ink weight rank ID'' of KCMY, respectively.
@samp{TC}, if provided, is the total time of cleaning or ink filling (?).
@samp{INK:} and @samp{MI} are @strong{not documented}.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* SM @var{BC}=2 00 @var{xx}}
Set Status Reply Rate. @var{xx} is the repeat interval in seconds. If
@var{xx} is @samp{0}, the status is returned only when the printer's
state changes.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* ST @var{BC}=1 01}
Reply Printer Status. The reply is formatted as
@example
@@BDC PS\r\nST:@var{xx};\f
@end example
(@samp{\r} is carriage return; @samp{\n} is newline; @samp{\f} is
formfeed). If @var{xx} (the reply value) is @samp{0} or @samp{2},
automatic status update is disabled; if @samp{1} or @samp{3}, it is
enabled.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* SM @var{BC}=1 01}
Reply Printer Status Rate. The reply is formatted as
@example
@@BDC PS\r\nST:xx;\f
@end example
(@samp{\r} is carriage return; @samp{\n} is newline; @samp{\f} is
formfeed). See @samp{SM @var{BC}=2} above for the meaning of the return
value.
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* ?? @var{BC}=@var{xx} @var{y}[1] @dots{} @var{y}[xx]}
Echo Parameters (perhaps better described as Echo Commands). The
command string is executed (it would appear from the documentation), and
the string sent is returned using a sequence similar to that described
in the @samp{ST @var{BC}=1} and @samp{SM @var{BC}=1} commands. Note
that in this case the number of bytes is variable!
@end deffn
@deffn {ESC/P2 remote command} @code{* SM @var{BC}=2 00 02}
@strong{Function unknown}. Used on the STC 3000 at least when using
roll feed.
@end deffn
@node ESC/P2 Appropriate Remote Commands, , ESC/P2 Remote Mode Commands, ESC/P2
@appendixsection Appropriate Remote Commands
All of the remote commands described above are wrapped up with the usual
boilerplate. The files always start with @samp{00 00 00} and the
``magic'' command described above, then two @samp{ESC @@}s to reset the
printer. The remote command sequences come next; if they print anything
that is usually followed by a @samp{FF} (0C hex) character to feed the
page, then the file ends with another two @samp{ESC @@}s to get back to
the ground state.
An alignment sequence goes like this:
@enumerate
@item Host uses @samp{DT} to print an alignment sheet
@item User eyeballs the sheet to see which is the best aligned pattern.
@item Host sends a @samp{DA} command indicating which pattern the user chose
@item If the user said "realign", meaning he isn't done yet, go to step 1
@item We are done: host sends a @samp{SV} command and exits
@end enumerate
The sequence used (by the STC 3000, at least) to print from the roll
feed is (with byte count omitted)
@example
PM 00 00
SN 00 00 00
EX 00 00 00 00 05 01
ST 00 01
SM 00 02
@end example
The sequence used by the STP 870 to print on plain paper is
@example
PM 00 00
IR 00 03
SN 00 00 01
SN 00 01 00
SN 00 02 01
EX 00 00 00 00 05 00
FP 00 00 00
@end example
@noindent
and the job finishes with
@example
IR 00 02
LD
@end example
For different paper type settings on the STP 870, the arguments to
@samp{SN} vary. The arguments to the first and third @samp{SN} commands
are as outlined in the description of the @samp{SN} command above; the
arguments to the second (``platen gap'') are @samp{00 01 01} for thick
papers (``matte paper---heavyweight'', ``photo paper'' and ``premium
glossy photo paper'') and @samp{00 01 00} for all others.
For roll-mode printing, the STP 870's sequence changes as follows.
@samp{IR}'s arguments become @samp{00 01} in the header, and @samp{00
00} after the job, and @samp{EX}'s last argument changes from @samp{00}
to @samp{01}.
For zero-margin printing on the STP 870, the arguments to @samp{FP} become
@samp{00 0xb0 0xff}. This moves the origin about 5.5mm to the left, to a
point one tenth of an inch to the left of the left-hand edge of the
paper, allowing printing right up to (and beyond) the edge of the
paper. Some printers (at least the STP 870) include white absorbent
pads at the left margin position and other positions (89mm and 100mm
on the STP 870) to soak up ink which misses the edge of the paper.
Printing off the edge of paper of a width not aligned with a pad could
result in making a mess of the inside of the printer and ink getting
on the reverse of the paper.