Photo Image Print System Lite for Linux Manual

Copyright (C) Seiko Epson Corporation 2005-2009.

Please visit our website for the latest information.
http://avasys.jp


Contents
1  License Agreement
2  Revision History
3  Product Description
4  Installation
    4.1  Installing the rpm/deb package
    4.2  Settings after installation
5  Uninstallation
    5.1  Delete driver
    5.2  Delete PPD file
    5.3  Deleting registrations on CUPS
6  Printing
    6.1  Items to be set
    6.2  Details of setting items
    6.3  How to Set
    6.4  How to Print
7  Other Software
    7.1  pipslited
    7.2  pipslitestm
    7.3  pipslite-install
8  Notes


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1  License Agreement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This software is covered by the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Refer to the file "COPYING" for more information about the license.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2  Revision History
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See ./NEWS.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3  Product Description
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This software is a filter program used with the Common UNIX Printing
System (CUPS) on the Linux platform.
The software offers high quality printing with Seiko Epson color ink jet printers.

This product has the same functions as the Photo Image Print Systems,
but it can only be used with printers that support the Epson ESC/P-R language.
Unlike the Photo Image Print System, it can be used with all printers that
support the Epson ESC/P-R language.

Please see our website for a list of supported printers.
http://avasys.jp

Changes in pipslite-1.1.0
 (1) For Version 1.1.0 and later, this software supports only the CUPS spooler.
     If you are using LPRng, please use pipslite-1.0.3.

 (2) For Version 1.1.0 and later, the content of the package has changed.
     Please use the correct package when updating from an old version.
     * Before 1.1.0
       - pipslite-1.0.x         LPRng version
       - pipslite-cups-1.0.x    CUPS version
     * 1.1.0 and later
       - pipslite-1.x.0         CUPS version (The LPRng version is not available.)


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4  Installation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preparation 1. Check the software required
  Before installing this software, ensure that the following software
  has been installed. If it is not installed, this software
  will not work correctly.

  Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) <http://www.cups.org>

Preparation 2. Remove the old version (when updating)
  If you have installed a version of this software earlier than 1.1.0,
  delete the following items before installing a new version.
  * Drivers
  * PPD files
  * Printer registrations on CUPS
  For the deleting method, please refer to "5  Uninstallation". 

4.1  Installing the rpm/deb package
   Choose the appropriate command for your distribution from the list below
   and execute it with root privileges.
   Note: The following package name differs depending on the version
   you are using.
   For Redhat/rpm based distributions:
   -----------------
   # rpm -U pipslite-1.4.0-*.i386.rpm
   -----------------
   For Debian based distributions:
   -----------------
   # dpkg -i pipslite_1.4.0-*_i386.deb
   -----------------

4.2  Settings after installation
   CUPS must be set to enable use of this software.
   Before printing, be sure to carry out the following steps.

4.2.1  Installing PPD file
    In order to register a printer in CUPS, you need to install a PPD file.
    You can download a PPD file, which matches your printer in use, from our website.
    Then, you need to copy a PPD file onto an appropriate place to save it.

    The location of PPD files differ from distributions.
    Usually PPD files are saved in the following places.

    -----------------
     /usr/share/cups/model/
     /usr/share/ppd/
     -----------------
  
     Example: if you want to copy a PPD file for PM-A950 onto /usr/share/cups/model/, 
     use the following command as root privileges. 
     
     -----------------
     # cp ekpma950.ppd /usr/share/cups/model/.
     -----------------
    
     For details, see the manual of the PPD files.


     If PPD files are not prepared on our website, you need to create a PPD file 
     by using pipslite-install.
     For details of how to use pipslite-install, see "7.3 pipslite-install".


     Note: Instead of creating a PPD file, you can use the PPD file common
         to all printers included in the package (eklite.ppd).
         The PPD file common to all models supports the following settings.
           * Paper size
             - A4 210 x 297 mm
             - 3.5 x 5 in  89 x 127 mm
           * Paper type
             - Epson Premium Glossy - Normal
             - Plain paper - Normal

         To use paper sizes and paper types corresponding to each printer,
         run pipslite-install and create a PPD file.

4.2.2  Restart CUPS
     Restart CUPS, to enable the installed filter.
     Execute the following command with root privileges.

     Example: With Red Hat Linux
     -----------------
     # /etc/init.d/cups restart
     -----------------
     With Debian GNU/Linux
     -----------------
     # /etc/init.d/cupsys restart
     -----------------

4.2.3  Add a printer

  Using a browser
     CUPS is provided with a CGI for settings so that you can set your printer
     using a browser. To add a printer, follow the steps below.
       Note: The following menu items might differ depending on the CUPS
             version and the environment used.

     (1) Connect to CUPS Server (Port: 631) with the browser
         Example: When CUPS is on localhost, access the following URL.
             -----------------
             http://localhost:631/
             -----------------
     (2) Select "Manage Printers"
     (3) Select "Add Printer"
     (4) Enter a printer setting name in "Name", and select "Continue"
          (Other items are not mandatory)
     (5) In "Device", set "Epson Inkjet Printer #1 (Photo Image Print
         System Lite)", and select "Continue"
     (6) In "Make", set "Epson", and select "Continue"
     (7) In "Model", set "Photo Image Print System Lite (en)", and
         select "Continue"
         Example: With the PM-A950 printer, "Model" is displayed as follows.
             -----------------
             "Epson PM-A950, Photo Image Print System Lite (en)"
             -----------------
     (7') Instead of steps (6) and (7), specify the PPD file directly from "Browse"
          Example: With the PM-A950 printer and PPD files located at
              /usr/share/cups/model/, you would specify the following file.
              -----------------
              /usr/share/cups/model/ekpma950.ppd
              -----------------

  Using commands
     Execute the following command with root privileges.
     -----------------
     # lpadmin -p PRINTER_NAME -v pipslitelp:/var/run/pipslitelp0 -P PPD_FILE -E
     -----------------

     Options: -p      Specifies the setting name of the printer
                        -E      Enables the printer
                        -v      Specifies the driver and connection
                        -P      Specifies the setting file (PPD file)

     Example: With the PM-A950 printer and PPD files located at
              /usr/share/cups/model/
     -----------------
     # lpadmin -p pma950 -v pipslitelp:/var/run/pipslitelp0 -P /usr/share/cups/model/ekpma950.ppd -E
     -----------------

     For details of lpadmin, see lpadmin(8).



This completes adding a printer for this software.

5  Uninstallation
    5.1  Delete driver

  Execute the following command with root privileges
  
   If you use Redhat Linux
   -----------------
   # rpm -e pipslite
   -----------------

   If you use Debian Linux
   -----------------
   # dpkg -P pipslite
   -----------------

  5.2  Delete PPD file
  You need to delete installed PPD files.

  Example: To delete the PPD file for the PM-A950 located under
           /usr/share/cups/model/, execute the following command with
           root privileges.
  -----------------
  # rm /usr/share/cups/model/ekpma950.ppd
  -----------------

  5.3 Deleting registrations on CUPS
  [Delete on the browser]
  Connect to CUPS server (Port:631) and click "Delete Printer" 
  on the screen of CUPS Printers .


  [Delete by commands]

  You can check for registered printers in CUPS with the following command.
  -----------------
  # lpstat -p
  -----------------
  To remove registered printers in CUPS, you specify the printer names which are found by
  using the command above, and then execute the following command with
  root privileges.
  -----------------
  # lpadmin -x PRINTER_NAME -E
  -----------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Printing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.1  Items to be set
   The following items can be set with this software.

   * Paper size
        Select the paper size for your document.

   * Print quality
        Select the media type and its print quality for your printing.

   * Ink
        Select color or monochrome printing.

6.2  Details of setting items
   Followings is a list of setting options available for this software.

   * The meaning of the list items
     - Keyword          Text string used when specifying an option
     - Browser display  Text string displayed in the browser window for CUPS settings
     - Explanation      An explanation of the setting

   Ink
      Setting name for optional settings: Ink
      Setting name in the browser: Ink

      Keyword  | Browser display        | Explanation
      ---------+------------------------+------------------------------------
      COLOR    | Color                  | Color printing
      MONO     | Monochrome             | Monochrome printing

   Paper size
      Setting name for optional settings: PageSize or media
      Setting name in the browser: MediaSize

      Note: When adding multiple settings in the media option, put paper size
            at the beginning. For the media options, see the CUPS documentation.

   Print quality
      Setting name for optional settings: Quality
      Setting name in the browser: Quality


6.3  How to set

   There are three methods for print settings.

   * Use a browser
        Select "Configure Printer" from the printer window to display
        the setting window.

   * Using commands
        Use lpoptions. For details of the command, see lpoptions(1).

        Example: For the registered printer name lite
            To specify ink = COLOR, page size = A4, quality = PLAIN_NORMAL
        -----------------
        $ lpoptions -p lite -o ink=COLOR -o media=A4 -o quality=PLAIN_NORMAL
        -----------------

   * Specify options when printing
        As with lpoptions, set options with -o. For details of the commands,
        see lpr(1) and lp(1).

6.4  How to Print

   To print, as with the existing LPR, execute the lpr or lp commands.
   The formats that can be printed are as follows.

   * Postscript
   * PDF
   * Text
   * Various image files

   Example:
      When printing with the defaults
      -----------------
      $ lpr -P PRINTER_NAME <file>
      $ lp -d PRINTER_NAME <file>
      -----------------

      With printer_name = a950, ink = MONO, media = LGL
      -----------------
      $ lpr -P a950 -o ink=MONO -o media=LGL <file>
      $ lp -d a950 -o ink=MONO -o media=LGL <file>
      -----------------

The method of printing depends on the implementation of CUPS.
For more details, see the CUPS documentation.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7  Other Software
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.1  pipslited

Explanation
   pipslited is the communication daemon for bidirectional communication with
   a printer. To use your printer, it is necessary to start pipslited.

Using pipslited
   Normally pipslited starts automatically when Linux starts.
   If it is not running, execute the following command with root privileges.

   Example:
   -----------------
   # /etc/init.d/pipslited start
   -----------------
   The following optional commands are available.
       start       Starts pipslited
       stop        Stops pipslited
       restart     Restarts pipslited
       status      Obtains the status of pipslited

Settings
   The settings for pipslited are explained in /etc/pipslite/pipslitedrc.
   The setting items are as follows. (Default values are shown in brackets)

   (*) PrinterName
        The printer name set in CUPS    (lite)

   (*) PrinterDevicePath
        Path to the device driver to which the printer is connected(/dev/usb/lp0)
        
       For the version pipslite-1.4.0 and later, a device is automatically searched, so setting is not needed.

    -  DummyDevicePath
        FIFO file for inputting print data (/var/run/pipslitelp0)

    -  CommandServerPort
        Port number for communication       (35587)

    -  ConnectAuto
        Printer status automatic/manual update  (1)
        1 = Automatic update
        0 = Manual update

   Items marked with an asterisk (*) can also be set interactively using a
   setting script (/usr/lib/pipslite/setup).

7.2  pipslitestm

Explanation
   pipslitestm is the printer status monitor. With the status monitor you can
   check the printer status, remaining ink amount, error messages and so on.

Using pipslitestm
   Execute the following command from the command line.
   -----------------
   $ pipslitestm
   -----------------

Setting
   The status monitor allows you to set the timings of updating printer
   status automatically or manually. (The default setting is automatic update.)
   To change the setting for status monitor update, see "Settings"
   in "6.1 pipslited".

   When manual update is set, click "Refresh" in the status monitor to
   check the printer status.
   The printer status at the time of pressing the button is displayed
   in the status monitor.
   The status monitor is updated automatically only during printing.

   Note: Operation is not guaranteed with daemons other than pipslited.


7.3  pipslite-install

Explanation
   pipslite-install is a tool for obtaining the capabilities of printers
   that support the Epson ESC/P-R language, and creating PPD files for
   registering printers in CUPS.

Using pipslite-install
   Execute the following command.
   -----------------
   $ pipslite-install
   -----------------
   Note: To create a PPD file, it is necessary to enable communication with
   the printer. Connect the printer to the PC, and turn on the power before
   executing the command.

   If the command succeeds, a PPD file is saved to a distribution dependent
   location and a confirmation dialog indicating its location is displayed.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8  Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you print using Photo Image Print System for CUPS, you may encounter the
following problems.

1. PostScript cannot be output in Japanese.
2. The print result differs from the document displayed in the application.
   Example: A line feed is inserted where it should not be.
3. Vertical lines are printed on the left side of the printout.

This occurs when the rendering program of CUPS (which converts printing documents
into image data available for this software) converts PostScript files into
image data, and it cannot be avoided with this product.

We appreciate your understanding.
These problems have been found in CUPS version 1.1.14.


***End of file
