Missing commands in Printer module

Discussion around the SwissMicros DM41X calculator
HPMike
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Location: DFW, Texas

Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by HPMike »

dlachieze wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 7:12 pm
My understanding is that the printer module included in the DM41X is based on the 82143A printer module code modified to drive the DM41X IR hardware and not on the 82182A IR module code because the source code of the 82143A was published as NOMAS by HP while the source code of the 82182A IR module is not available.

It may be possible to add new functions such as MAN, NORM, TRACE, PRTOFF to the current DM41X printer module to manage the printing flags but this needs to be confirmed by the m-code gurus who modified the original 82143A module code.
The 82182A module is the Time Module. The IR Printer Module is 82242A. In any case, at the very least there needs to be a way to clear flag 55 when the Thermal Printer module is active, so that programs can set flag 21 and use VIEW and AVIEW to send printout to the display.
DM15L, S/N 00548. DM42, SN: 00159. DM41X, SN: 00973. DM32, SN 00054.
Ángel Martin
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Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2017 8:19 pm

Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by Ángel Martin »

bernouilli wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 2:50 pm
Right night, and until the module hp82242 is supported, the only way I see is to unplug the printer module when needed.
something to try:

with the OS/X module on:
55, XEQ "TF"
toggles flag 55.

It may not be permanent though, the printer will continue to demand attention while the module is plugged - but it's worth trying.
Ángel Martin
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Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by Ángel Martin »

dlachieze wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 7:12 pm
It may be possible to add new functions such as MAN, NORM, TRACE, PRTOFF to the current DM41X printer module to manage the printing flags but this needs to be confirmed by the m-code gurus who modified the original 82143A module code.
MAN, TRACE & NORM are trivial and can be also done settings user flags 15 & 16 appropriately.

PRTON & PRTOFF are more complicated as they call routines in the HPIL module, I have not looked at the actual code though.
HPMike
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Location: DFW, Texas

Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by HPMike »

I just wrote three short programs to set the printer mode as follows:

01 LBL MAN
02 CF 15
03 CF 16
04 END

01 LBL NORM
02 CF 15
03 SF 16
04 END

01 LBL TRACE
02 SF 15
03 CF 16
04 END

So, no need to implement these in the printer module.
DM15L, S/N 00548. DM42, SN: 00159. DM41X, SN: 00973. DM32, SN 00054.
rprosperi
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Location: New York

Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by rprosperi »

Didier is correct that the 82143 ROM was used as it is available; the IR module came after the period in which HP was releasing NOMAS materials ended and it's use of hardware I/O is not documented or otherwise available.

HPMike is also correct that the reference to the 82162A Manual for how to use Flags 15,16, 21 and others is wrong; that reference should be to the 82160A HP-IL module (pp. 9-10), which does explain how these flags are used to control MAN/NORM/TRACE modes which are all supported, and whose status is reported in the SI area of the main screen.

Flag 21 being cleared does suppress all printing in programs, just like the way the IL Printer behaves, as described in these pages.

This will not be changed to an implementation of the 82242A unless someone can provide the documented ROM sources; even then, it's unlikely as there is little advantage over the functionality provided now.
--bob p

DM42: β00071 & 00282, DM41X: β00071 & 00656, DM10L: 071/100
HPMike
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Location: DFW, Texas

Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by HPMike »

rprosperi wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 3:21 am
Flag 21 being cleared does suppress all printing in programs, just like the way the IL Printer behaves, as described in these pages.

This will not be changed to an implementation of the 82242A unless someone can provide the documented ROM sources; even then, it's unlikely as there is little advantage over the functionality provided now.
The problem is that many of the application module programs set flag 21 to enable printing, which is suppressed if a printer is not connected, because flag 55 is cleared. When the IR Printer module is plugged into the calculator (active in the DM41X), then flag 55 is automatically set, enabling printing. With the IR Printer module, the PRTOFF command can be executed to clear flag 55 and suppress printing even if flag 21 is set by the program. Without PRTOFF, the only way to disable printing is to unplug the module in Settings, which is cumbersome and cannot be programmed. Otherwise, the only other option is to edit the program to prompt the user for a yes or no answer as whether the program should disable printing, even if a printer appears to be present due to flag 55 being set.
DM15L, S/N 00548. DM42, SN: 00159. DM41X, SN: 00973. DM32, SN 00054.
rprosperi
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Location: New York

Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by rprosperi »

With the IR module one does:

[XEQ] "PRTOFF" to 'remove' that module (logically).

With the 41X, one does:

[CST] [2] [->AM] [Down] [Down] [Unplg] [<-] [<-] which is actually 1 key less than the above.

But, this does assume the Print module is only 2 mods away once your in the AM screen; though this is likely average, it could be more if you use a lot of mods. But the point is that using CST can make things a lot less cumbersome.

Part of why doing something a new way can initially seem cumbersome is exactly because it's new. I think you'll find that as you learn some of the new capabilities in the 41X it won't seem as bad, and in turn you'll learn some new shortcut techniques that can be used in lots of other ways.

In all fairness, one could also create a CST assignment and then use [CST] [P] to run PRTOFF... Still, I think the point stands.
--bob p

DM42: β00071 & 00282, DM41X: β00071 & 00656, DM10L: 071/100
toml_12953
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Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by toml_12953 »

To me, it doesn't make sense to support a module for a printer you can't connect to the 41X while not supporting a module for a printer you can connect.
Tom L

Some people call me inept but I'm as ept as anybody!
DM10L SN: 059/100
DM41X SN: 00023 (Beta)
DM41X SN: 00506 (Shipping)
DM42 SN: 00025 (Beta)
DM42 SN: 00221 (Shipping)
WP43 SN: 00025 (Prototype)
Ángel Martin
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Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by Ángel Martin »

HPMike wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 4:43 am
Without PRTOFF, the only way to disable printing is to unplug the module in Settings, which is cumbersome and cannot be programmed. Otherwise, the only other option is to edit the program to prompt the user for a yes or no answer as whether the program should disable printing, even if a printer appears to be present due to flag 55 being set.
55
FS? IND X
TF (in the OS/X module)

et voilá!
HPMike
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Re: Missing commands in Printer module

Post by HPMike »

Ángel Martin wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 2:11 pm
HPMike wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 4:43 am
Without PRTOFF, the only way to disable printing is to unplug the module in Settings, which is cumbersome and cannot be programmed. Otherwise, the only other option is to edit the program to prompt the user for a yes or no answer as whether the program should disable printing, even if a printer appears to be present due to flag 55 being set.
55
FS? IND X
TF (in the OS/X module)

et voilá!
Hello Angel - Are you referring to the OSX_BS4X.MOD, OSX_BS4X-P6.MOD, OSX_BS4X-P7.MOD ? If, so which one or all three ?
DM15L, S/N 00548. DM42, SN: 00159. DM41X, SN: 00973. DM32, SN 00054.
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