| Re: ImageWare ImageMate Card ? [message #373374] |
Thu, 06 September 2018 22:30 |
martin.doherty@undisc
Messages: 62
Registered: September 2013
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On Wednesday, April 3, 2002 at 2:23:47 PM UTC-5, Jeff Blakeney wrote:
> On Wed, 03 Apr 2002 12:01:38 GMT, "Ernest" <ernestls@attbi.NOSPAM.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I have an Orange Micro ImageMate card that I would like to test but I'm not
>> sure how to install it. It has eight dip switches and a Rev. 1.0 Rom. I think
>> that it's a buffer card.
>>
>> Does anyone know if this card is for the IW 1 or 2? I didn't see any place to
>> plug this card into on my IW 1. Does anyone know what the dip switches are
>> for?
>
> I thought you were describing a card I have but it turns out I have an
> Orange Micro ImageBuffer card and the documentation that came with it
> lists the ImageMate as a separate card. The ImageBuffer that I have
> is for the ImageWriter II only and adds 64KB or 128KB of buffer to the
> printer.
>
> Perhaps this means that the ImageMate is the same sort of thing but
> for the original ImageWriter instead. However, this is just a guess
> on my part.
>
> --
> Jeff Blakeney - Dean of the Apple II University in the
> Apple II Community on Syndicomm.com
> CUT the obvious from my address if you want to e-mail me
This is a necropost but this 2002 thread is the only reference I found anywhere on the web to the Orange Micro ImageMate. I lost an ebay auction for one of these babies today (it sold for $98 + $6 shipping from Florida) and there is a bit of product info in the auction listing, so I'm going to add it to this thread for future searchers to find.
eBay item number:332785783313
Seller: netcybersolutions
Auction description:
Apple Computer ImageWriter II Buffer Card
by OrangeMicro card can also emulate other Printers.
Card ONLY, this card goes inside the ImageWriter II printer to provide a 32k buffer for the printer.
Looking at the photos - the board is a rectangular green PCB, I guess about 2.5" x 7.5".
Front side: 15 small chips + 2 empty sockets, 1 bank of 8 DIP switches near middle of board, one medium chip with adhesive label says "ImageMate REV 1..0" (the 1.0 is hand-written). One large chip made by Zilog. The photo is not high enough resolution to read any of the chip IDs. Printed on top left of board is "ImageWare TM", on top right is "Orange Micro (R) S/N" and then a hand-written serial # "AAB927".
Based on the partial text of the user's guide (below), I deduce the 2 socketed chips with 2 empty sockets adjacent means this example has a 64K buffer.. Getting a 128K buffer probably just means adding the two extra RAM chips.
Back side: mostly just solder dots, with two short jumper wires, a sticker that says "WARNING: power to printer MUST be turned off before installing IMAGEWARE. Failure to do so could result in system damage." On one edge is a female connection port that accepts 26 pins in two rows of 13. I think this plugs into the printer in the exact same way as the Apple ImageWriter II 32K Memory Option, which has the same connector in the same location.
Box: the photos show the board on an anti-static bag inside an open white cardboard box about 4" x 11". Looks like the lid was lifted off, flipped over and then the bottom half was nested inside the lid. No images of the box's exterior though, and no idea whether it's the original product box although I suspect it is not, because another auction from the same seller today for the Apple 32K Memory Option (which sold for $67) showed that card sitting in the same white box, so it's probably generic.
User's Guide: about 3.5" wide, 7" tall stapled user guid. Front cover says "ImageMate User's Guide" with some basic grayscale artwork.
One photo shows the full text of pages 2 and 3, as follows:
<START OF TRANSCRIPTION>
HIGHLIGHTS
The IMAGEMATE manual is written assuming use with the IBM PC, XT or AT. If you have an IBM compatible, refer to your computer manual for equivalent commands and/or hardware descriptions.
The IMAGEMATE allows you to do the following tasks:
* Link your IBM PC, XT, AT, or IBM PC compatible to the Apple ImageWriter II printer.
* Use the ImageWriter II as if it were an Epson (FX or JX-80 series) or IBM CDM (Color Dot Matrix) printer.
* Use the computer at the same time as the printer is printing.
* Send text documents up to 20 pages to the printer buffer (up to 40 pages in length for 128K.)
* Make up to 255 copies of a document or documents.
The IMAGEMATE can be installed in the Apple ImageWriter II printer and comes with 64K buffer. By adding an Orange Micro 64K Buffer Expansion Kit, the buffer is expandable to 128K. For more on buffers, see the section on "What is a Buffer?" on page 11.
THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Do I Have All the Right Hardware?
The IMAGEMATE requires the following hardware items in order to be installed and to operate correctly:
IMAGEMATE
Imagemate Patch Cable (packaged with IMAGEMATE)
Apple Imagewriter II Printer
Apple ImageWrite II to Apple IIe Cable
IBM PC, XT, or AT, or Compatible Computer (please see next section)
RS 232 Communications Port on Computer (Serial Port)
What are the System Requirements?
Whether you own an IBM PC or compatible, your computer must be equipped with a male DB25 connector serial port (see below). The serial "port" is the physical outlet to which you attach a printer cable. To determine if your computer is equipped with the required type of serial port, check your computer manuals or consult with your dealer.
<diagram of Male DB25 Connector Serial Port>
If your computer is an IBM PC compatible, the IMAGEMATE will work only if certain conditions are met.
A. The IBM compatible you are using must have a standard IBM PC male DB25 connector serial port (as shown above).
B. The computer must be able to print via the serial port. If the DOS for your system is different from the IBM DOS, refer to your manual for equivalent commands.
Which of My Programs Can Be Used?
Most software packages allow you to choose a printer during program setup. The purpose of printer selection is to make certain that program and printer will always understand each other's codes and signals. If the program and printer codes do not match, the printing could be unpredictable.
The IMAGEMATE is designed to permit your IBM PC or compatible to send information from the computer to the Apple ImageWriter II, using either the Epson (FX or JX-80 series) or IBM CDM (color dot matrix) printer selection. This means that if you have a software program, you must go to the system installation or program setup area of teh program and select either the Epson* or IBM CDM printer.
Your software package must allow you to select either the Epson* or IBM CDM printer in order for the IMAGEMATE to operate correctly. The only exception would be if the program permits no printer selection at all. See NOTE.
NOTE: There are several popular programs that provide no printer selection whatsoever. A sample of these programs would be: dBASE III, R:BASE 5000, Sidekick, and Microsoft Multiplan. When IMAGEMATE is used with these programs, no special program modification is required.
*In this user's guide, Epson always refers to the Epson FX or JX-80 series printers.
<END OF TRANSCRIPTION>
well that's all i got. The big question I'm left with is this ... if you do install this board into your ImageWriter II, can you still use it with an Apple II Super Serial Cord in the normal way? If so, will you get the benefit of the 64K or 128K buffer?
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