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Printer Operation using Propeller — Parallax Forums

Printer Operation using Propeller

Aaron193Aaron193 Posts: 27
edited 2009-06-06 02:35 in Propeller 1
Hi--

I have an old HP Deskjet (610CL) that I'd like to operate using a Propeller Microcontroller. It uses a parallel (not USB) interface. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to operate it? Can I just send ASCII characters to it, or do I need a special driver of sorts?

Comments

  • SapiehaSapieha Posts: 2,964
    edited 2009-06-05 21:02
    Hi Aaron193.

    On Parallel printers You send ASCII codes and cople of control codes.
    Parallel port have 8 Bits data bus and some control signals You must met to have functioning communication.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Nothing is impossible, there are only different degrees of difficulty.
    For every stupid question there is at least one intelligent answer.
    Don't guess - ask instead.
    If you don't ask you won't know.
    If your gonna construct something, make it·as simple as·possible yet as versatile as posible.


    Sapieha
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-06-06 00:17
    You need a special driver. The interface does transfer ASCII characters, but there are a lot of control sequences as well. Do a websearch for "Wiki HP PCL" for an explanation. I believe the Deskjets used PCL3.
  • SapiehaSapieha Posts: 2,964
    edited 2009-06-06 00:42
    Hi Mike Green.

    Old PC used half of 8255A as printer driver.

    Hi Aaron193.
    Consider at Parallel ports on all printers has 5V driving.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Nothing is impossible, there are only different degrees of difficulty.
    For every stupid question there is at least one intelligent answer.
    Don't guess - ask instead.
    If you don't ask you won't know.
    If your gonna construct something, make it·as simple as·possible yet as versatile as posible.


    Sapieha
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2009-06-06 01:20
    Sapieha, those old printers were designed for receiving and printing ASCII with dot graphics being done by special escape codes. Newer printers are more graphics oriented and do not print ASCII codes without some initializing. A pain when you are trying to replace a printer on old equipment.
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-06-06 02:35
    Parallel port interface is dead simple although the latter ones were probably more bidirectional EPP ports rather than the dumb Centronics style. If you really really need to drive this from the Prop then you will need to know the command set for this printer. Linux printer sources can be used but that still entails a lot of work.

    *Peter*
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