PCL Alphanumeric ID Command

The Alphanumeric ID command performs several different functions depending on the operation specified. This command:

• Specifies the type of print media on which to print a job (rather than specifying its location)

• Specifies an ID string for different PCL objects (fonts and macros)

• Supports the mass storage PCL enhancements for the LaserJet 5Si/5SiMx printer disk (allowing, for example, downloading a font with a String ID to RAM—downloading to the printer disk must be done using PJL)

The format of the Alphanumeric ID command is as follows:

^es_c&n#W[Operation][String ID]

# - Number of bytes of String ID data

Default = 0

Range = 2 to 512

The value field (#) identifies the number of bytes in the String ID.

The Operation byte determines the type of operation and the type of object on which the operation is to be performed. The operations are listed in the table below. The value is a binary number, not a ASCII numeric value. For example, operation 100 (media select) is expressed in the command as a lower case d ( ^es_c&n13WdTransparency ) and operation 0 is expressed as an ASCII null character. (^es_c&n15W^NU_LHelviticaWacko)

The String ID begins with the second byte and can be up to 511 characters long.

Binary Operation Code (in Decimal)	Description
0	Sets the current Font ID to the given String ID. This operation allows the user to set the current PCL Font ID to a string name, which gives the user the ability to download fonts to a string name. If the current Font ID has been set with both the Alphanumeric ID command and the Font ID command (esc*c#D), the ID last sent takes precedence. For example, if the current font ID was set to 10 and then to “Font1”, the current font ID would be “Font1”.
1	Associates the current Font ID to the font with the String ID supplied. This operation finds the font with the supplied String ID and assigns the current Font ID to that font so that the font now has two names. The original font name is used to perform font management commands on the font, and the new associated name is used when selecting the font for usage. Note that since fonts with string names can be associated to numeric Font IDs, these fonts are selectable in HP-GL/2 using the numeric Font ID.
2	Selects the font referred to by the String ID as primary. This operation finds the associated font using the supplied String ID and specifies that font as the current primary font. The command is ignored if there is no font with that String ID.
3	Selects the font referred to by the String ID as secondary. This operation functions the same as the primary font specification (operation number 2), however this command specifies the font as secondary.
4	Sets the current Macro ID to the String ID. This operation allows the user to set the current PCL Macro ID to a String ID name. If the current Macro ID has been set with both the Alphanumeric ID command and the Macro ID command (esc&f#Y), the ID last sent takes precedence. For example, if the current Macro ID was set to 10 and then to “Macro1”, the current macro ID would be “Macro1”.
5	Associates the current Macro ID to the supplied String ID. This operation finds the macro with the supplied String ID and assigns the current Macro ID to that macro. This macro then has two names. The original Macro ID name is used to perform macro management commands on the macro, and the new associated name is used when executing, calling, or overlaying the macro.
20	Deletes the font association named by the current Font ID. The font must have been associated with an alphanumeric Font ID (using operation 0). No String ID is supplied (esc&n1W20). This command removes the alphanumeric font name association, however the disk resource itself is not changed.
21	Deletes the macro association named by the current Macro ID. The macro must have been associated with an alphanumeric Macro ID (using operation 4). No String ID is supplied (esc&n1W21). This command removes the alphanumeric macro name association, however the disk resource itself is not changed.
52 i.e. "4"	Select a new resource association file. This operation allows the user to set the current PCL resource association file to a file name. The current registered associations are deleted and the associations specified in the new resource association file take effect.
100 i.e. "d'	Media select (see media selection table). Media types are specified using the printer control panel. The following table indicates which media type and paper size is used in the various media-select situations. E.g. esc&n5WdBond would select Bond paper.

Example: Using a Font with a String ID

When the user wants to use a font with a String ID, the user must first associate that font with a new Font ID number. This association is required so that whether the font is on disk or RAM, the procedure is the same.

Set the current Font ID to “AssociatedFontID”

^es_c&n17W0AssociatedFontID

Find the font with ID “UnivRomanID” on disk or in RAM and give it the associated ID of “AssociatedFontID”

^es_c&n12W1UnivRomanID

Set the current Font ID to 10

^es_c*c10D

Find the font with String ID “TimesRmID” on disk or in RAM and give it the associated Font ID of 10

^es_c&n10W1TimesRmID

Set the current secondary font to the font with a Font ID of 10 (which in this case, is an associated font)

^es_c)10X

Specify the current font as primary using the alphanumeric ID command

^es_c&n17W2AssociatedFontID

Delete the name “AssociatedFontID” from the PCL database

^es_c&n17W0AssociatedFontID

^es_c&n1W20

Reset the printer. Resetting deletes all font and macro associations.

^es_cE

Also:

• pclResourceFile

Media Selection Table

Questions:

• usmansonu@gmail.com asks: " Is this command valid for all PCL5e printers" James Newton of James Newton's Massmind replies: In a word, no. It only supports printers with FSA (File System Architecture).

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