Oki 182 Handbook

Also see for Microline 182: Maintenance manual

_______~_________ GLOSSARYProtocolRAMROMRS232-CSerial InterfaceSoftwareA set of rules controlling serial communicationbetween the computer and the printer. Usingsignals defined by a protocol, the printer canacknowledge that it has received data or tell thecomputer to stop sending data until more storagespace in the printer is available. Protocols also setthe format for data transmission.Random Access Memory: a temporary memorydevice (integrated-circuit chip). In MICROLINEprinters, RAM is used for temporary storage ofdata before printing (this type of RAM is called abuffer) and for storage of commands to changeprinting features, VFU formats, and DLCGcharacters.NOTE: This type of memory is volatile; that is, it is erasedwhen the printer is turned off.Read-Only Memory: a permanent storage device(integrated-circuit chip). Information stored in ROMor firmware, can be read but cannot be added to orchanged. In MICROLINE printers, ROM is used tostore the dot patterns for the character sets, instructions for interpreting control codes, etc.A uniform standard for serial interfaces set by theElectronic Industries Association (EIA). It establishesstandards for signals and cabling. Most personalcomputers follow this standard for serial interfaceswith some variations.An interface in which the eight bits in each byte ofdata are transmitted one after the other over onewire.A program or set of instructions that tells your computer or printer what to do. It is called soft because,like words, it does not really have a physical formthe way something like a rock does. A softwarepackage is a commercially prepared program or setof programs, usually sold on a disk or cassette tape.143