README

Microprinter Arduino library

Arduino sketch and Java library by Roo Reynolds:

http://rooreynolds.com/category/microprinter/
http://microprinter.pbworks.com/

Python library by Ben O'Steen based on/copied from Roo's work

For CBM1000 connection notes, please see:

http://microprinter.pbworks.com/CBM-1000

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Both the python and Java libraries rely on the arduino relaying the serial connection to
the microprinter.

Python Usage example:

Basics:

>>> from microprinter import Microprinter

# /dev/ttyUSB0 is the serial port to which my arduino is connected
>>> m = Microprinter("/dev/ttyUSB0", "CBM1000")   # CBM1000 or CBM (needs testing with CBM231)

Printing text:

>>> m.write("Foo....\n\n Bar....\n")

Formatting:

# turn on underlining
>>> m.setUnderline(True)
>>> m.write("Underline reminds me of 1990s websites")

# turn on 'double print' (Bold)
>>> m.setDoubleprint(True)
>>> m.write("This is printed with a darker shade")

# reset printer to initial state (possibly a CBM1000 only feature?)
>>> m.resetState()

Paper control:

# single linefeed
>>> m.feed()

# multiples
>>> m.feed(5)

# changing the linefeed rate: (haven't reversed-engineered what the default it - use m.resetState to reset)
>>> m.setLineFeedRate(1)    # barely moves the print head - great for printing images

# Cut the paper
>>> m.cut()

Barcodes:

Dimension control:

>>> m.setBarcodeDimensions(height, width)
Boundaries: Unknown < height < 256
            width = 2, 3, or 4
    same as: m.setBarcodeWidth(width) and m.setBarcodeHeight(height) combined

>>> m.printBarcode(barcode, barcode_mode)
# Barcode mode can be any of:
    "BARCODE_MODE_UPCA"
    "BARCODE_MODE_UPCE"
    "BARCODE_MODE_JAN13AEN"
    "BARCODE_MODE_JAN8EAN"
    "BARCODE_MODE_CODE39"
    "BARCODE_MODE_ITF"
    "BARCODE_MODE_CODEABAR"
    "BARCODE_MODE_CODE128"

>>> m.printUPCABarcode("12345678901")   # UPCA barcodes are 11-12 digits long

CBM1000 text functions:

>>> from microprinter import CBM1000Mode

# CBM1000Mode contains flags for certain textual settings:
# CBM1000Mode.E = Emphasis
#            .U = Underline
#            .DH = Double Height text
#            .DW = Double Width text
# These should be bitwise OR'd together to form the mode
# CBM1000Mode.E|CBM1000Mode.U = Bold + Underline

# Use it in conjunction with Microprinter.setPrintMode()
# This will select font A by default - bitwise OR the flags with 1 to change to font B

eg select a bold, double width version of font A
>>> m.setPrintMode(CBM1000Mode.E|CBM1000Mode.DW)

eg select a double height version of font B
>>> m.setPrintMode(1|CBM1000Mode.DH)

CBM1000 text markup method:

Print some marked up text to the printer. (Similar to Roo's markup function but with differing functionality.
    
    ^ ... ^ = Apply Double Height to anything inbetween the '^' marks
    ~ ... ~ = Double Width
    * ... * = Emphasis/bold
    _ ... _ = Underline
    
    Eg:
    
    >>> m.printMarkup('^This is text rendered at double height^ and this is not.')
    >>> m.printMarkup('~Double width~ and *bold text*')
    >>> m.printMarkup('_~*Underlined, double width and bold text*~_')

Printing images (requires the Python Imaging Library - PIL to be installed):

>>> from microprinter_image import print_image_from_file
# Possibly CBM1000 only at this point, I can't test it otherwise
# Also, this is quite experimental tempermental - some settings work, some don't

# print_image_from_file(filepath, width_to_print_at, mode, Microprinter_instance,
                        autorotate = True,  # attempt to rotate landscape picture to fit best
                        dither = True       # turn image to 1-bit using dithering. False will cause it
                                            # to convert the image to 1-bit using a Threshold)
>>> print_image_from_file("/home/ben/test_image.png", 512, 33, m, autorotate=False, dither=True)

Prints an image from a file (can handle any format the PIL can)

What widths seem to work: 432, 516, 256   # 432 is suitable for 57mm width paper on the CBM1000

modes = 0   - 101dpi width x 67dpi height   - normal ratio-ish
        1   - 203dpi width x 67dpi height   - prints elongated along the paper length
        
        32   - 101dpi width x 203dpi height   - prints elongated along paper length
        33   - 203dpi width x 203pi height   - HiDef ;)
        
0 is reasonably fast and 33 is slow but 33 is much higher resolution and looks 'better'

NB not all modes work at all widths. In fact, finding the correct widths and complementary modes is akin 
to finding nice skimming pebbles on the beach... you know the ones, flat and smooth with a bit of heft to them.
Anyway, I'd like to get feedback on what modes/widths work or whereabouts in the datasheet it lists these.