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Text File | 1987-01-19 | 22.0 KB | 484 lines

Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ January 19, 1987 Jack C. Weilandt 3 Chickatawbut Rd. Framingham, MA 01701 Table Of Contents Page 01 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Topic Page ----- ---- Introduction .......................................... 02 The Laser Command ..................................... 03 Theory Of Operation ................................... 04 The Menu System ....................................... 05 The Primary Menu ...................................... 06 The Advanced Menu ..................................... 08 The Ruler Menu ........................................ 10 The Help Screens ...................................... 12 The Intro Screen ...................................... 13 Registration .......................................... 14 Introduction Page 02 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Laser is a general purpose processor to help you get the most out of your HP LaserJet+ and LaserJet 500+ Printers. It is capable of controlling the very simple operations of Page Eject, Margin Setting, Etc., to the very complex operations of Downloading/Implementing Fonts, and Ruler Forms Overlay. Laser will also function with the plain vanilla HP LaserJet, but advanced function commands will be ignored by the printer. Please refer to the HP LaserJet Technical Reference Manual for a clear delineation of the capabilities of the standard LaserJet verses the LaserJet+ Printers. Program Requirements: IBM Compatible Personal Computer 256K Bytes Memory Minimum DOS 2.0 or Above HP LaserJet+ Printer Color Or Mono Monitor Disclaimer: The author is not responsible for any software or hardware malfunction or any damage to your system or components. The author grants the specific rights to copy and distribute this program and documentation provided that no fees other than the cost of copying and diskettes is charged, and that this program and documentation are not modified in any way. Contribution: If you find this program to be of genuine use to you, please remit $25 to: Jack C. Weilandt 3 Chickatawbut Rd. Framingham, MA 01701 This contribution policy deals with individual personal copies only. Corporate and business licences for the Laser system should be negotiated by contacting the author at the address above in writing. Notice: HP and LaserJet are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp. The Laser Command Page 03 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Laser is invoked at the DOS prompt with the following command format: Laser |File_Name|Help|?| Where: Laser is the name of the command and the only requirement File_Name is an optional parameter that names a DataSet to receive the output of Laser. LPT1: is the default. This parameter is useful when composing large rulers and overlays and you wish to store the sequences. It is also useful for storing your favorite setup strings which can be invoked at a later time by using Laser's File Copy option or at the DOS prompt using "COPY /B File_Name". Please note that Laser will open the specified File_Name as new, thereby overwriting the contents of an existing DataSet or creating a new one. Help or ? as the optional parameter will provide a short description of the Laser Command and its possible parameters. Theory Of Operation Page 04 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Laser Version 1.02 writes its output directly to the attached printer or DataSet if that option was chosen at invokation. Laser is not capable of determining whether the printer option selected is valid for the attached printer; it merely sends the selected options to the output device and waits for the next selection. The HP LaserJet family of printers will ignore any commands it does not recognize and therefore a LaserJet+ command issued to a standard LaserJet will not produce an error. Some of Laser's advanced functions, such as selection of font types will only function if the appropriate Font Cartridge (or SoftFont) has been loaded. Please refer to the LaserJet reference manuals for more information. The HP LaserJet family of printers are commanded to perform special functions by sending complex ESCape codes directly to the printer. Laser knows the appropriate ESCape sequences for each of the special functions. It knows when certain sequences need several ESCape codes to accomplish a function and will guide the user through the entire task. For example, to load and select a SoftFont, a FontID must be chosen, the SoftFont location must be determined, the SoftFont disposition must be set. Laser knows all of the steps necessary and will not let you forget a step along the way. The Menu System Page 05 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ The heart of Laser is its Full Function Pull-Down Menu System. At entry, Laser will display the Primary Option Window. Moving the left or right arrow keys will move the Pull-Down option window in the direction of the arrow key. When an appropriate major heading is arrived at, the up and down arrows are used to arrive at an appropriate minor selection. Pressing the Enter/Return key at this point will invoke the selected option. Its as simple as that! When entry of some value is required, Laser will open a small window in the left lower corner of the screen and await your entry. Laser is controlled from three major menus: Primary Menu: This menu controls the most simple and most called for options of Laser such as selection or Orientation, Style, Pitch, Etc. Advanced Menu: This menu controls more complex functions such as Graphics, File Printing, and SoftFont Downloading. Ruler Menu: This menu controls the most complex functions such as setting up forms overlays, ruler patterns, and virtual cursor control for page formatting. The Primary Menu Page 06 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Orientation -- controls whether the printer prints in normal fashion or sideways. Portrait -- prints in normal fashion Landscape -- prints sideways Symbol Set -- controls the type of characters/nationality that the printer should use. Roman-8 -- standard print-shop symbols USASCII -- ASCII standard letter shapes Roman Extended -- standard plus accented foreign letters Danish -- Danish Characters English UK -- Standard English Characters French -- French Characters German -- German Characters Italian -- Italian Characters Swedish -- Swedish Characters Spanish -- Spanish Characters Legal -- Legal Characters Linedraw -- Special Line Drawing Character Set Spacing -- Controls whether each character will take up the same space or whether each character will be placed proportional to its width. Fixed -- Each character will be the same size Proportional -- Characters will vary in size Pitch -- Controls the number of characters per inch. 10 CPI -- 10 Characters Per Inch 12 CPI -- 12 Characters Per Inch 16.6 CPI -- 16.6 Characters Per Inch Points -- Controls the height of the characters. Each Point is approximately 1/72" in height. 7 Point -- Characters are 7/72" High 8 Point -- Characters are 8/72" High 8.5 Point -- Characters are 8.5/72" High 10 Point -- Characters are 10/72" High 12 Point -- Characters are 12/72" High 14.4 Point -- Characters are 14.4/72" High Style -- Controls whether characters are straight up and down or slanted. Upright -- Characters are straight up and down Italic -- Characters are slanted The Primary Menu (Cont) Page 07 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Weight -- Controls how dark the characters will appear on the printed page. Light -- Light printing Medium -- Normal darkness of print Bold -- Very heavy printing Type -- Controls the shape of the printed characters. Courier -- Standard print type Line Printer -- Standard DP print type Helv -- Typewriter standard Times Roman -- Newspaper print type Prest. Elite -- Very small fancy print type Gothic -- Heavy print type Miscellaneous -- Controls additional Primary Function options. Info -- Displays program information window Help -- Displays mini-help window Advanced -- Brings up the Advanced Option Menu System 6 LPI -- Selects 6 Vertical lines per inch 8 LPI -- Selects 8 Vertical lines per inch 12 LPI -- Selects 12 Vertical lines per inch 60 LPP -- Selects 60 Lines per Page 66 LPP -- Selects 66 Lines per Page 80 LPP -- Selects 80 Lines per Page 88 LPP -- Selects 88 Lines per Page Left Margin -- Selects the number of columns of left margin Right Margin -- Selects the number of columns of right margin Top Margin -- Selects the number of rows of top margin Clr Margins -- Reset all margins to Power-Up Defaults Exit -- Terminate Laser and return to DOS The Advanced Menu Page 08 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Graphics -- Controls the graphics print density in terms of dots per inch. 075 Dots/Inch -- Low resolution graphics 100 Dots/Inch -- Medium resolution graphics 150 Dots/Inch -- Medium resolution graphics 300 Dots/Inch -- High resolution graphics Copies -- Controls the number of copies the printer will make for every page sent to it. 1 Copies -- Produces 1 Copies 2 Copies -- Produces 2 Copies 3 Copies -- Produces 3 Copies 4 Copies -- Produces 4 Copies 5 Copies -- Produces 5 Copies 10 Copies -- Produces 10 Copies 20 Copies -- Produces 20 Copies xx Copies -- Produces xx Copies Paper -- Controls special page oriented operations. Eject Page -- Forces a hardware form feed Feed From Tray -- Default setting Manual Feed -- Accept paper from rear opening Envelope Feed -- Accept envelope for printing Vert Mot Index -- Overide Lines per Inch specifications Display -- Controls how control codes are interpreted by the printer. Display On -- Display all data sent to printer; do not interpret any sequance except Display Off Display Off -- Interpret all control codes Underline On -- Underline all data Underline Off -- Default setting The Advanced Menu (Cont) Page 09 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Advanced Graphics -- Controls several advanced functions including cursor retention, perforation disposition, and access to the Ruler Menu. Set Ruler -- Brings up the Ruler/Overlay Menu System Push Cursor -- Causes the LaserJet to remember the cursor's position until a Pop Cursor is performed Pop Cursor -- Causes the LaserJet to restore the cursor's position from a previous Push Cursor Perf Skip -- Default Operation. Causes forced small top and bottom margins so as not to write on the paper perforation Perf No-Skip -- Disables Perf Skip control and allows the printer to write on the perforation if necessary Miscellaneous -- Controls various functions for the Advanced Menu System. Help -- Brings up the Advanced Menu System's Help Window Primary -- Returns from the Advanced Menu to the Primary Menu System Reset -- Returns the HP LaserJet Printer to its power-up status. This action will have different effects depending on whether hardware cartridges are loaded or not Self Test -- Instructs the printer to perform a full Power-On Self Test Exit -- Terminates Laser and returns to DOS. File -- Controls the Downloading of SoftFonts, Printing of Files or saved command streams, and redirection of print functions. Redirect Print -- Allows the creation of a DataSet to receive all output of the Laser System for the remainder of the current session. This option is similar to invoking Laser with the File_Name option. Note: the DataSet selected will be created NEW. Selecting an existing DataSet will cause it to be erased before being written to. Download HP Font -- Allows the user to Download a Hewlett-Packard SoftFont such as 33412DA (Letter Gothic) and assign its status. Download Non-HP Font -- Allows the user to Download a Non Hewlett- Packard SoftFont and assign its status. Print a File -- Allows the user to print an ASCII file. The Ruler Menu Page 10 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Gray Scale -- Controls the graphics print density for rules and overlays in terms of percent black to white. 002% -- 002% Black Dots to White Dots Combination 010% -- 010% Black Dots to White Dots Combination 015% -- 015% Black Dots to White Dots Combination 030% -- 030% Black Dots to White Dots Combination 045% -- 045% Black Dots to White Dots Combination 070% -- 070% Black Dots to White Dots Combination 090% -- 090% Black Dots to White Dots Combination 100% -- 100% Black Dots to White Dots Combination HP Pattern -- Controls the 6 patterns that HP provides instead of using solid ruled lines. Vertical Lines -- A set of vertical lines are used to draw rather than solid ruled lines Horizontal Lines -- A set of horizontal lines are used to draw rather than solid ruled lines Diagonal Left -- A set of diagonal lines running from right to left are used to draw rather than solid ruled lines Diagonal Right -- A set of diagonal lines running from left to right are used to draw rather than solid ruled lines Grid -- A grid made up of horizontal and vertical lines is used to draw rather than solid ruled lines Diagonal Grid -- A grid made up of diag left and diag right lines is used to draw rather than solid ruled lines Print Pattern -- Causes the HP LaserJet+ to output the selected pattern to the printer page image Print Ruler -- A solid black ruler is drawn starting at the current cursor position for the size and shape defined by the Position sub-menu Print Gray Scale -- A gray scale ruler is drawn starting at the current cursor position for the size and shape defined by the Position sub-menu Print HP Pattern -- An HP Pattern ruler is drawn starting at the current cursor position for the size and shape defined by the Position sub-menu The Ruler Menu (Cont) Page 11 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Cursor -- Controls the location of the virtual print cursor on the page. Cursor Hor Dots -- Depending on the graphics dot density previously selected, moves the cursor this many dots in the horizontal direction Cursor Hor Decs -- Moves the cursor in the horizontal direction this number of Decipoints (a Decipoint is 1/72") Cursor Hor Col -- Moves the cursor to the specified column Cursor Ver Dots -- Depending on the graphics dot density previously selected, moves the cursor this many dots in the vertical direction Cursor Ver Decs -- Moves the cursor in the vertical direction this number of Decipoints (a Decipoint is 1/72") Cursor Ver Row -- Moves the cursor to the specified row Position -- Determines the shape of the rule/overlay to be drawn. Note: the combination of Cursor and Position determine one ruled area. Ruler Hor Dots -- Depending on the graphics dot density previously selected, sets the width of the ruler that many dots Ruler Hor Decs -- Sets the width of the ruler the number of Decipoints (1/72") selected Ruler Hor Inches -- Sets the width of the ruler to be the number of selected inches Ruler Ver Dots -- Depending on the graphics dot density previously selected, sets the height of the ruler that many dots Ruler Ver Decs -- Sets the height of the ruler the number of Decipoints (1/72") selected Ruler Ver Inches -- Sets the height of the ruler to be the number of selected inches Miscellaneous -- Controls various functions for the Ruler Menu System. Help -- Brings up the Ruler Menu System's Help Window Advanced -- Returns to the Advanced Menu System from the Ruler Menu System Exit -- Terminates Laser and returns to DOS. The Help Screens Page 12 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Laser Version 1.02 provides a help window for each of the major menu systems by selecting "Help" from the miscellaneous menu pick on each of the three menus. These mini-help windows are just a reminder of what each of the major menu picks perform and are not at all a full help display. This document in combination with the LaserJet Technical Reference Manual provide the full help facility. Future versions of Laser may include true context sensitive help if the user demand warrents it. The Intro Screen Page 13 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ The Intro Screen of Laser Version 1.02 provides a very brief description of the capabilities of the Laser System, the ShareWare nature of the product, the disclaimer, and the fee statement. Registration Page 14 Laser Version 1.02 ------------------ Construction of the Laser System has taken a significant amount of time, blood, sweat, tears, and finally joy. It is a system that will grow if there is significant user demand. The only way that I will know the nature of that demand is for people to send in their $25 donation or negotiate a corporate/business license. When and if future releases of Laser become available depend upon the response of the user community. Checks should be made out to: Jack C. Weilandt 3 Chickatawbut Rd. Framingham, MA 01701 Comments, problems, inquiries, etc. should also be made in writing to the address above. I can also be contacted electronically at: Softline BBS or The Toolbox BBS (617) 245-4909 (617) 364-2474