Contents |
Description
Hardware
The Panasonic FS-IFA1 is an interface to use peripherals for Panasonic personal word processors U1 series on MSX2 and higher computers.
The peripherals that can be used are listed below:
There are other image scanners (for example FW-RSU1 and FW-RSU1C - C = color), but they are not compatible with this interface and the provided software. Probably the bitstream conversion of black and white dots into a picture is encoded differently.
The top of the cartridge has a Mini-Din connector for the peripherals, and a connector for the provided external FS-AA121 power supply.
It was only sold in Japan.
| Brand | Panasonic |
| Model | FS-IFA1 |
| Year | |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥9,800 + tax. |
| Package content | |
| Emulation |
Software
The floppy disks provided with the interface contain MSX-DOS 1 and utilities.
Disk 1
This disk contains an utility in screen 7 for the FW-PU1B handy printer.
The main screen has 2 pages, you can toggle between them with the CTRL key.
F1 to F5 keys give access to several menus:
| Function key | Page 1 | Page 2 |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Printer settings | Characters creation |
| F2 | File menu | Logo menu |
| F3 | Size menu | Input menu |
| F4 | Quality menu | Document deletion |
| F5 | Special characters | Exit |
F6 to F8 keys allow to insert special printing characters, F10 can be used to repeat a text sequence.
Other useful keys:
- CAPS LOCK to use international characters
- DEL
- HOME to confirm text or selected option
- INS
- KANA to use Japanese characters
- SELECT to enable/disable numbers in Kana mode
- STOP to clear selected text or cancel selected option
Disk 2
This disk contains an utility for the FW-RSU1H/W image scanner.
You can scan pictures in screens 5 to 8. After selection of the screen type, you access a menu with 5 options:
- Mode (new picture or merging with existing picture)
- Colors (selection of the colors that will be ON = converted to white or OFF = converted to black) - note: the scanner has also a dithering switch to create gray tones
- Scan (use ESC to stop this option)
- Disk
- Back to menu
The menu has an extra option on Panasonic MSX2+ machines: クラフィックツール (Graphic Tools). Options 1 to 3 of the sub-menu actually launch the Cockpit Video Graphics utility present on these machines, while respectively selecting keyboard, joystick or mouse.
Gallery
Hardware
Software
Disk 1
Disk 2
