CAB A+ Series, Mach 4, PX, XD4 Programming Manual

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A+ series

Mach 4

PX Print Module

Programming Manual

XD4

J-Script and abc for cab printers

Edition 7.0

1cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG

JScript - the programming language for cab printers.

The usage of all described functions in this manual requires firmware version 3.17 or higher. This is a generic manual which describes the commands for different printer models,which means that it may contain descriptions or explanations of features which are not available on every printer model.

2cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG

cab Programming Manual

valid for following printer types:

A+ -Series

XD4 -Series

Mach 4

PX -Print Module

and all printing systems based on the cab „X2“ board

No parts of this manual may be copied, rewritten or used for anything else

than for original cab printers.

This interdicts the usage of the manual for OEM products

unless you have a written permission.

The cab printers command language is owned and copyrighted by

cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG

Wilhelm Schickard Str. 14

76131 Karlsruhe / Germany

Tel: +49 - 721-6626-0

Fax:+49 - 721-6626-239

Email: support@cabgmbh.com

http://www.cabgmbh.com

All registered trademarks or product names are trademarks of their respectives companies

Swiss

is registered Trademark of Bitstream Inc.

3cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG

Table of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction............................................................................... 11

Introduction...........................................................................................................................................11

Nomenclature, Syntax of the commands..............................................................................................11

Usage of this manual........................................................................................................................... 12

Print Positions: .................................................................................................................................... 13

Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 14

1. ESC instructions.............................................................................................................................. 14

2. Immediate Commands .................................................................................................................... 14

3. Label Format Commands................................................................................................................ 15

4. Special Content Fields..................................................................................................................... 15

Simple programming lesson ................................................................................................................ 16

Create your first label: ......................................................................................................................... 16

Explanation of this example................................................................................................................. 16

Chapter 2: Command Overview.................................................................18

Command Overview............................................................................................................................ 18

ESC Commands ................................................................................................................................. 19

Immediate Commands ........................................................................................................................ 20

Label Format Commands.................................................................................................................... 22

Label Format Commands.................................................................................................................... 23

Special Content Fields......................................................................................................................... 24

Time Functions.................................................................................................................................... 24

Date Functions .................................................................................................................................... 24

Date Functions (continued) ................................................................................................................. 25

Jalali Date Functions ( Arab date )....................................................................................................... 26

Suriyakati Date Functions ( official date in Thailand ) ......................................................................... 26

Mathematical functions........................................................................................................................ 27

Field Calculations and Comparisons ................................................................................................... 27

Special functions (miscellaneous) ....................................................................................................... 28

RFID Functions ................................................................................................................................... 29

Database Connector commands ......................................................................................................... 30

Chapter 3: ESC Commands........................................................................33

ESCESC Replaces ESC in binary data ............................................................................................ 34

ESC!ESC! Hard Reset ..................................................................................................................... 35

ESC* Activate all RS-485 printers..................................................................................................... 36

ESC. Start and stop value for binary data ......................................................................................... 37

ESC: Start description of binary data ................................................................................................ 38

ESC< Back feed of the material behind the photocell....................................................................... 39

ESC? Request for free memory ....................................................................................................... 40

ESCa abc-status ................................................................................................................................ 41

ESCc - Cancel Printjob....................................................................................................................... 42

ESCend-of-data End description of binary data................................................................................43

ESCf formfeed.................................................................................................................................. 44

ESCg Print St art command.................................................................................................... ........... 45

ESCi Send value from the INF-memory ........................................................................................... 46

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ESCj Request for the latest printed job............................................................................................. 47

ESCI Request of synchronisation info .............................................................................................. 48

ESCp0 End printer´s pause mode .................................................................................................... 49

ESCp1 Set printer into pause mode ................................................................................................. 50

ESCs Printer status query ................................................................................................................. 51

ESCt total cancel.............................................................................................................................. 54

ESCz Extended status request......................................................................................................... 55

CHAPTER 3 - Immediate commands........................................................56

Immediate commands......................................................................................................................... 56

<ABC> - Start of the abc Basic Compiler............................................................................................. 57

</ABC> - End of the abc Basic Compiler............................................................................................. 58

<ENCRYPTED LABEL...> - S tart of an ENCR YPTED label................................................................. 59

<ENCRYPTED JOB> - St art of an ENCRYPTED job .......................................................................... 60

</ENCRYPTED JOB> - End of an ENCRYPTED job .......................................................................... 61

; - Comment line .................................................................................................................................. 62

a - ASCII Dump Mode ......................................................................................................................... 63

c - Direct cut ........................................................................................................................................ 65

e - erase data ...................................................................................................................................... 72

f - formfeed.......................................................................................................................................... 73

j - job-ID............................................................................................................................................... 74

l - Change Language ( country ) .......................................................................................................... 75

m - set measuring unit......................................................................................................................... 77

p - pause Printer.................................................................................................................................. 79

q - query Printer................................................................................................................................... 80

r - reset to default values ..................................................................................................................... 82

s - set Date/Time ................................................................................................................................. 83

t - Run Printer Self-test ........................................................................................................................ 84

v - Firmware version............................................................................................................................ 89

x - Synchronous Peripheral Signal Settings......................................................................................... 90

z - print slashed / unslashed zero ........................................................................................................ 91

CHAPTER 4 - Label Format Commands..................................................92

A - Amount of Labels ........................................................................................................................... 93

B - Barcode Definition.......................................................................................................................... 95

Barcode overview list......................................................................................................................... 102

Available check digits: ....................................................................................................................... 104

Startpositions of Barcodes................................................................................................................. 105

Barcodes - printing direction .............................................................................................................. 105

B - Barcode 2 of 5 Interleaved ........................................................................................................ 106

B - Barcode 2 of 5 Interleaved ........................................................................................................ 107

B - Barcode Add-On2 ..................................................................................................................... 108

B - Barcode Add-On5 ......................................................................................................................110

B - Barcode Aztec - Code ................................................................................................................112

B - Barcode Codabar.......................................................................................................................114

B - Barcode Codablock F ................................................................................................................116

B - Barcode Code 39 .......................................................................................................................118

B - Barcode Code 39 FULL ASCII .................................................................................................. 120

B - Barcode Code 93 ...................................................................................................................... 122

B - Barcode Code 128 .................................................................................................................... 124

B - Barcode Data Matrix ................................................................................................................. 126

B - Barcode DBP - German Post Identcode ................................................................................... 128

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B - Barcode EAN-8 / JAN-8 ............................................................................................................ 130

B - Barcode EAN-13 / JAN-13 ........................................................................................................ 132

B - Barcode EAN 128 / UCC 128 / GS1-128................................................................................... 134

B - Barcode EAN-18 / NVE / SSCC-18........................................................................................... 136

B - Barcode FIM ............................................................................................................................. 140

B - Barcode HIBC (Health Industry Barcode).................................................................................. 142

B - Barcode ITF-14 * / SCC-14 *..................................................................................................... 144

B - Barcode Maxicode .................................................................................................................... 146

B - Barcode Micro PDF 417............................................................................................................ 150

B - Barcode MSI (MSI Plessey) ...................................................................................................... 152

B - Barcode PDF 417 ..................................................................................................................... 154

B - Barcode Plessey ....................................................................................................................... 156

B - Barcode Postnet ....................................................................................................................... 158

B - Barcode PZN-Barcode * ........................................................................................................... 160

B - Barcode QR-Code .................................................................................................................... 162

B - Barcode RSS-14 ....................................................................................................................... 164

B - Barcode RSS-14 composite (CC-A).......................................................................................... 166

B - Barcode RSS-14 composite (CC-B).......................................................................................... 168

B - Barcode RSS-14 truncated ....................................................................................................... 170

B - Barcode RSS-14 truncated composite (CC-A).......................................................................... 172

B - Barcode RSS-14 truncated composite (CC-B).......................................................................... 174

B - Barcode RSS-14 stacked.......................................................................................................... 176

B - Barcode RSS-14 stacked composite (CC-A) ............................................................................ 178

B - Barcode RSS-14 stacked composite (CC-B) ............................................................................ 180

B - Barcode RSS-14 stacked omnidirectional................................................................................. 182

B - Barcode RSS-14 stacked omnidirectional composite (CC-A).................................................... 184

B - Barcode RSS-14 stacked omnidirectional composite (CC-B).................................................... 186

B - Barcode RSS limited................................................................................................................. 188

B - Barcode RSS limited composite (CC-A).................................................................................... 190

B - Barcode RSS limited composite (CC-B).................................................................................... 192

B - Barcode RSS expanded............................................................................................................ 194

B - Barcode RSS expanded composite (CC-A) .............................................................................. 196

B - Barcode RSS expanded composite CC-B................................................................................. 198

B - Barcode RSS expanded stacked .............................................................................................. 200

B - Barcode RSS expanded stacked half line ................................................................................. 202

B - Barcode RSS expanded stacked composite (CC-A) ................................................................. 204

B - Barcode RSS expanded stacked composite (CC-B) ................................................................. 206

B - Barcode UPC-A ........................................................................................................................ 208

B - Barcode UPC-E ........................................................................................................................ 210

B - Barcode UPC-E0 ...................................................................................................................... 212

C - Cutter Parameters ....................................................................................................................... 214

D - Global Object Offset .................................................................................................................... 218

E DBF ... - Define Files ( Extension DBF).......................................................................................... 219

E LOG ... - Define Files ( Extension LOG)......................................................................................... 220

E SQL - Define Files ( Extension SQL).............................................................................................. 222

E RFID - Define Files (Extension RFID) ............................................................................................ 223

F - Font Number................................................................................................................................ 224

F - Font Number................................................................................................................................ 225

G - Graphic Field Definition ............................................................................................................... 226

G - Graphic Definition - Circle............................................................................................................ 228

G - Graphic Definition - Line .............................................................................................................. 230

G - Graphic Definition - Rectangle..................................................................................................... 232

G - Graphic Definition - Option: Fill.................................................................................................... 234

G - Graphic Definition - Option Shade ............................................................................................... 235

G - Graphic Definition - Option: Outline ............................................................................................. 236

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H - Heat, Speed, Method of Printing, Ribbon..................................................................................... 238

I - Image Field Definition.................................................................................................................... 239

J - Job S tart....................................................................................................................................... 242

M - Memory Card Access .................................................................................................................. 243

Memory card access with FTP connection: ....................................................................................... 245

M - Memory Card Access - load file from card................................................................................... 250

O - Set Print Options ......................................................................................................................... 255

O - Set Print Options ......................................................................................................................... 256

P - Set Peel-Off Mode ....................................................................................................................... 258

R - Replace Field Contents................................................................................................................ 259

S - Set Label Size.............................................................................................................................. 260

T - Text Field Definition ...................................................................................................................... 264

X - Synchronous Peripheral Signal Settings ...................................................................................... 274

Chapter 5: Special Content fields............................................................275

Time Functions ........................................................................................................... 277

[H12...] Print Hour in 12-hour form (1-12) ....................................................................................... 277

[H24...] Print Hour in 24-hour form (0-23) ....................................................................................... 278

[H012...] Print H0ur in 12-hour form (01-12) -always 2 digits .......................................................... 279

[H024...] Print H0ur in 24-hour form (01-24) -always 2 digits .......................................................... 280

[ISOTIME...] Prints the T ime in ISO st andard format..................................................................... 281

[MIN] Print MINutes (00-59)............................................................................................................ 282

[SEC...] Print SEConds (00-59) ...................................................................................................... 283

[TIME ...] Print actual TIME............................................................................................................. 284

[XM...] am/pm indicator .................................................................................................................. 285

Date Functions............................................................................................................ 286

[DA TE... ] Print actual D ATE........................................................................................................... 287

[DA Y... ] Print numeric DAY of the month (1-31)............................................................................. 289

[DA Y02... ] Print numeric 2-digit DAY of the month (01-31)............................................................ 290

[DOFY... ] Print numeric Day OF Year(001-366) ............................................................................ 291

[ISODATE:...] Prints date following the ISO specs ......................................................................... 292

[ISOORDINAL: ...] Prints date following the ISO specs ................................................................. 293

[WDAY... ] Print numeric WeekDAY(0-6) ....................................................................................... 294

[wday... ] Print complete weekday name........................................................................................ 295

[wday2... ] Print weekday name, 2 - digits shortened ..................................................................... 296

[wday3... ] Print weekday name, 3 - digits shortened ..................................................................... 297

[ISOWDA Y: ...] Print date following the ISO specs.......................................................................... 298

[WEEK... ] Print numeric WEEK (1-53).......................................................................................... 299

[WEEK02... ] Print numeric WEEK with 2 -digits (01-53) ................................................................ 300

[OWEEK... ] Print WEEK with Offset(1-53).................................................................................... 301

[mon... ] Print 3-character month name ......................................................................................... 302

[month... ] Print complete month name.......................................................................................... 303

[MONTH... ] Print 2-digit MONTH (1-12)........................................................................................ 304

[MONTH02... ] Print 02-digit MONTH (01-12)................................................................................ 305

[YY... ] Print 2-digit Year (00-99)..................................................................................................... 307

[YYYY... ] Print 4-digit Year (1970-2069) ....................................................................................... 308

Jalali Date functions .......................................................................................................................... 309

Suriyakati Date .................................................................................................................................. 309

[JYEAR... ] Print 4-digit Jalali Year ................................................................................................. 310

[JDAY...] Print Jalali-DAY ..................................................................................................................311

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[JDAY02...] Print Jalali-DAY, 02 digits ............................................................................................. 312

[JMONTH...] Print Jalali-Month ....................................................................................................... 313

[JMONTH02...] Print Jalali-Month - 2 digits..................................................................................... 314

[JDOFY...] Print Jalali-Day OF Year ................................................................................................ 315

[jmonth... ] Print complete Jalali month name.............................................................................. 316

[JWDAY...] Print Jalali-Week-DAY .................................................................................................. 317

[SYEAR... ] Print 4-digit Suriyakati Year ......................................................................................... 318

Mathematical Functions............................................................................................. 319

[+:op1,op2, . . .] Addition................................................................................................................. 320

[-:op1,op2,...] Subtraction ............................................................................................................... 321

[*:op1,op2, . .] Multiplication............................................................................................................ 322

[/ :op1,op2] Division ........................................................................................................................ 323

[%: op1,op2] Modulo....................................................................................................................... 324

[|:op1,op2] Logical Or ..................................................................................................................... 326

[|:op1,op2] Logical Or ..................................................................................................................... 327

[&:op1,op2] Logical AND................................................................................................................. 328

[<: op1,op2] Comparision < Less than ............................................................................................ 329

[=: op1,op2] Comparision = Equal .................................................................................................. 330

[==: text1,text2] String Comparision == Equal................................................................................. 331

[>: op1,op2] Comparision > Greater than ....................................................................................... 332

[MOD10:x] Calculate the Modulo 10 check digit ............................................................................. 333

[MOD36:x] Calculate the Modulo 36 check digit ............................................................................ 334

[MOD43:x] Calculates the Modulo 43 Check digit.......................................................................... 335

[P: ... ] Print result in Price format .................................................................................................. 336

[R:x] Rounding method................................................................................................................... 337

Special Functions ....................................................................................................... 338

[?: ... ] LCD prompt ....................................................................................................................... 339

[ABC:x] Insert ABC value................................................................................................................ 344

[BIN:x{,y ...} ] Insert Binary data...................................................................................................... 345

[BIN16B:x{,y ...} ] Insert Binary data, 16 bit - Big Endian................................................................. 346

[BIN16L:x{,y ...} ] Insert Binary data, 16 bit - Little Endian............................................................... 347

[BIN32B:x{,y ...} ] Insert Binary data, 32 bit - Big Endian................................................................. 348

[BIN32L:x{,y ...} ] Insert Binary data, 32 bit - Little Endian............................................................... 349

[BITFIELD:... ] Bitwise encoded data field....................................................................................... 350

[C: ... ] Leading zero replacement................................................................................................... 351

[D:... ] Set number of Digits............................................................................................................ 353

[DBF:... ] Database file access ...................................................................................................... 354

[HEX:x ...] Hexadecimal conversion ............................................................................................... 355

[I: ...] Invisible fields ........................................................................................................................ 356

[JOBID] print JOB ID ..................................................................................................................... 358

[J: ... ] Justification ......................................................................................................................... 359

[LEN:x] Text Length detection......................................................................................................... 361

[LOWER:... ] Converts to lower case characters ........................................................................... 362

[L TRIM:... ] Trim data Left.............................................................................................................. 363

[name] Access a field with a name ................................................................................................. 364

[name,m{,n}] insert substring.......................................................................................................... 365

[RTMP... ] Read value from serial (TMP) file................................................................................... 366

[RTRIM:... ] Trim dat a Right........................................................................................................... 367

[RUSER... ] Read value from (user) memory.................................................................................. 368

[S:... ] Script style for numeric values............................................................................................. 369

[SER:...] - Serial numbering............................................................................................................... 370

[SQL:xx ] SQL database access..................................................................................................... 375

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[SQLLOG:... ] SQL logging into database ...................................................................................... 376

[TRIM:... ] Trim data....................................................................................................................... 377

[U:x] Insert Unicode characters ...................................................................................................... 378

[UPPER:... ] Convert to upper case characters.............................................................................. 380

[WINF] Mark a line for writing into the info buffer............................................................................ 381

[WLOG] Write LOG file................................................................................................................... 382

[WTMP] Write value to serial (TMP) file ......................................................................................... 383

[WUSER... ] Write value to USER memory .................................................................................... 384

RFID Functions ........................................................................................................... 385

[LTAG ... ] Lock RFID TAG area ..................................................................................................... 386

[RTAG ... ] Read RFID TAG............................................................................................................ 387

[RTAGBIN ... ] Read RFID T AG binary ........................................................................................... 388

[TAGID] read T AG ID...................................................................................................................... 389

[WTAG ... ] Write RFID TAG ........................................................................................................... 390

Chapter 6: cab DataBase Connector .......................................................391

How it works: ..................................................................................................................................... 392

Supported Databases:....................................................................................................................... 392

cab Database Connector and SQLClient........................................................................................... 392

Installation ......................................................................................................................................... 393

Chapter 7: abc - a-Series basic compiler..............................................398

abc - a-Series basic compiler .......................................................................................................... 398

Requirements:................................................................................................................................... 398

Restrictions: ...................................................................................................................................... 398

Import differences to Yabasic PC versions: ....................................................................................... 399

T emporary restrictions/known bugs: .................................................................................................. 399

Window-Handling: ............................................................................................................................. 399

New functions compared to Yabasic:................................................................................................. 400

Restrictions compared to Yabasic:..................................................................................................... 400

abc - PEEK Variables: ....................................................................................................................... 401

abc - POKE Variables: ....................................................................................................................... 404

abc - Streams:................................................................................................................................... 406

abc - Modes: ..................................................................................................................................... 407

Notes:................................................................................................................................................ 408

Communication with Web Browsers:................................................................................................. 408

HTML ................................................................................................................................................ 408

ASCII T able ....................................................................................................................................... 422

Appendix A ................................................................................................422

Code 39 pattern chart........................................................................................................................ 423

Code 39 Full ASCII chart................................................................................................................... 424

Tips and Tricks .................................................................................................................................. 425

Appendix B:Tips and Tricks..................................................................... 425

V ariable day offset............................................................................................................................. 426

Hexadecimal counter (Base 16, 0-F) ................................................................................................. 427

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Invisible field - depending on condition .............................................................................................. 428

Memory card „reload“ ........................................................................................................................ 429

Automatic start with pause................................................................................................................. 430

Using Replace sequence and split the content .................................................................................. 431

Leading zero suppression after calculation........................................................................................ 432

Replacing graphics dynamically......................................................................................................... 433

Appendix C - Character lists ....................................................................434

Character list Swiss 721 .................................................................................................................... 435

Character list Swiss 721 bold ............................................................................................................ 448

Character list Monospace.................................................................................................................. 462

Index ................................................................................................................................................. 473

Index...........................................................................................................473

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Introduction

IMPORTANT : We highly recommend to read the introduction first !!

• The described commands and sequences are tested and approved with original cab printers. cab Produkttechnik can not guarantee that all functions are available on OEM products.

• All sample labels are created with a 300 dpi printer,

• All measurement s are in millimeters for the usage in international markets. Label positions have to be recalculated if the printer is set to „country = USA“, if no measurement command is transmitted.

• Some described functions are only available if your printer contains the actual firmware. We recommend to download and install the actual firmware release from our website at:

http://www.cabgmbh.com

• We tried our best to write an easy understandable programmer´s manual which should contain every possible function of cab printers. Multiple different methods have been used to make sure that every shown example works properly and a few proof reads have been done to avoid any error in this manual. Nevertheless - we would appreciate your comments, where more explanation is required and where we have to do things better. Every comment is welcome and will influence our future work. And if you find any error,- then please let us know. Thank you for your help !

Nomenclature, Syntax of the commands

• All commands are accepted when the line end identifier is transmitted, with the exception of ESC commands, they are processed as soon as the required character is received.

• Carriage returns are not displayed in the headlines and not in the example files of this manual, to keep a better overview. Carriage Returns (ASCII 13, HEX 0D) are only shown in the synt ax description in italic letters (CR ). You may use either CR (carriage return), LF (line feed) or CR/LF (carriage return/ line feed) (See also the ASCII table in the APPENDIX of this manual)

• It is not required to use special characters to create a label format. Data can be keyed in with a simple text editor.

• For a better overview it is allowed to add spaces or tabs within a command line. Numeric parameters accept additional zeros.

• Separators for the parameters are either semicolons or commas.

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Usage of this manual

• The commands are sorted in different sections. In each section we further sorted the commands in alphabetical order. We used following structure:

1. ESC commands

2. Commands which start with lower case letters

3. Commands which start with uppercase letters

4. Special content fields sorted by: a: Time functions b: Date functions c: Mathematical functions d: Special Functions e:RFID Functions

5. Description of the cab DataBase connector

6. Description of the abc - Basic compiler

7. Appendix A shows a few chart s and t ables

8.Appendix B contains some tips and tricks shown on special samples

9. Last but not least we added a Unicode character list of the internal

TrueT ype font s.

• Special Notes and infos are shown in it alic characters where the "finger" point s to them.

• The examples are mostly reduced to the minimum requirements to print a label, to keep it as simple as possible.

• Not all commands are available or all printer types. This depends on if the described function needs additional equipment such as the RFID functions which are not available in every machine. Please referto the further documentation of your printer.

• In all cases when it was possible we printed an example label, which helps to explain the function of each command. You may copy or type the sample in your editor to see how it works.

• All examples have been tested and the printouts have been scanned. The original files have been copied into the sample text to make sure to keep the amount of mistakes on a minimum. Nevertheless - please inform us whenever you find anything wrong. We will correct that in the next release of this manual.

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Print Positions:

The Home position or „Zero point“ of a label is shown on the picture below.The „Headline“appears first, as it is usual on all laser printers etc. Most users prefer to get the printed label „foot first“ out of the printer. This can easily be done when the „O R“ command is added to the shown examples. We did not add this command in the samples to keep a better overview . You may add this whenever it is required. „O R“ rotates the orientation of the label by 180 degrees. So all shown examples which do not contain the „O R“ command have been rotated for a better view in this manual.

feed direction (paper path)

Home position when the „O R“ command had been used.

Initial Home position

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Overview

The programming language of the cab Printers is based almost completely on ASCII characters. Together with the selectability of different codepages it is possible to connect to nearly each computer system.

The printers accept additionally all types of line end identifiers (CR, LF, CR/LF), so that the descriptions of labels can be created with the most simple text editors, such as „Notepad“ or „Wordpad“ - saved as plain text files.

Instruction types

cab printers are using basically three types of instructions

• ESC instructions,

• Instructions with lowercase letters and

• Instructions with uppercase letters.

1. ESC instructions

are responsible for status queries, control functions, memory management etc. and are usually executed immediately , i.e. even if a printing job runs. They are not absolutely required to print labels, but they offer additional features and possibilities

Example:

ESC ? - Request for free memory. ESC c - Cancel Job ESC p0 - Ends printer pause state ESC s - Printer status request

2. Immediate Commands

Instructions with lowercase letters are used for adjustments and settings which must not have something to do with the actual printjob.

These are for example requests of fonts or graphics which have previously downloaded to the printer .

Example:

a - Activate the ASCII dump mode c - Immediate cut f - Formfeed t - Performs a test print

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3. Label Format Commands

Example:

cab printers use additionally to that 3 command types following special commands for special text formatting, calculations, comparisons etc.:

4. Special Content Fields

J - Job start S - Set label size H - Heat, speed, and printing method O - Set print options T - Text field definition B - Barcode field definition G - Graphic field definition I - Image field definition A - Amount of labels

Special content fields cab database connector commands abc - a-series basic compiler commands

are used within Label Format commands. They consist of instructions in squared brackets, [ ], which offers various data insertion and data manipulation functions.

Example:

A huge amount of more complex and powerful commands are explained later in this manual in the „Special Content fields“ section.

cab database connector command and „abc“ - commands will not be explained here. Please refer to the special sections in this manual.

On the next pages you will find a short training class which shall help you to become familiar with the cab printer programming language „JSCRIPT“. We recommend that you try this course first, before you start with your own projects.

[DATE] - Print date [/ :op1,op2] - Divide [>: op1,op2] - Greater than

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Simple programming lesson

Target:

Learn how easy it is to teach your printer to do what you want. Understand the language structure of JScript by testing the following sample. Get the feeling what might go wrong if the syntax is not correct. Modify this sample with other items of this manual.

Create your first label:

1. Connect your printer to the PC, select „Country United Kingdom“ on the printer´s control panel.

The handling is explained in the operator´s manual (the language changes to „English“ and the measurements to „millimeters“ - as the label is designed in millimeters)

2. Start your preferred plain texteditor (we will use Notep ad for this example)

3. Key in following data and don´t forget to press the ENTER key on your keyboard after the „A 1“ in

the last line is keyed in.

Example:

m m J H 100 S l1;0,0,68,70,100 O R T 10,10,0,5,pt20;sample B 10,20,0,EAN-13,SC2;401234512345 G 8,4,0;R:30,9,0.3,0.3 A 1

Explanation of this example

(Details are described in the respective sections of this manual)

J Job start H 100 Heat (Speed) setting (100mm/sec) S l1;0,0,68,70,100 Size of the Label (68 x100mm, gap 2mm) O R Orientation Rotated by 180° T 10,10,0,5,pt20;sample Text line- font:Swiss bold, 20 pt B 10,20,0,EAN-13,SC2;401234512345 Barcode EAN 13, size SC 2 G 8,3.5,0;R:30,9,0.3,0.3 Graphic, Rectangle 30x9mm, 0.3mm A 1 Amount of labels (in this sample 1)

4. Save that file now with the name „sample1.txt“ in your root directory of Harddrive C:

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5. Switch to the DOS - mode or to the command prompt (depending on your operating system

version)

6. At the command prompt key in: C:\> copy/b sample1.txt LPT1: ( LPT1: - if the printer is connected to the parallel port of the PC.) -Requires the optional parallel adapter . The result should be that the printer prints the label which is shown below. The better possibility is to transmit data via network connection with an FTP client. We recommend to download "NOTEP AD++" which is an open source text editor with a built in FTP client. Copy the file directly from the editor to the "execute" folder which is shown by the FTP client. When setting up your FTP connection you will be asked for the server name which is the IP address of your printer. Furthermore you have to key in the Login which is always "root" and the password which is the previously set PIN of your printer´s menu.

... and if it does not work as expected ? - Then following points might be the reason:

1. The printer receives no data:

a: The wrong interface or wrong transmission speed is selected on your printer.

- Check the interface settings in the setup menu of the printer

b: Your interface is blocked by another application. c: The cable might be defect- check the connecting cable

2. Printer receives data but shows „ribbon out“

a: No ribbon in the printer b: Ribbon is not fixed on the ribbon unwinder

3. Printer receives data but shows „Protocol error“ in its display

a: Transmitted data is wrong - this might be a missing comma or a accidentially set semicolon

instead of a comma or any other wrong data. S p aces after a command may cause a protocol error, too! Check your label dat a carefully.

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Chapter 2: Command Overview

Command Overview

The following pages are showing lists of all available JScript printer commands Details are explained later in this manual.

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ESC Commands

ESCESC Replaces ESC in binary data ESC!ESC! Hard reset ESC* Activate all RS 485 printers ESC. St art and S top value for binary dat a ESC: Start description of binary data*

ESC< Back feed of the material behind the photocell ESC? Request for free memory. ESCa Request for abc-status ESCc cancel printjob ESCend-of-data End description of binary data

ESCf formfeed (Equal to pressing „form feed“ on the navigator pad) ESCi Send value from the INF-memory ESCj Request for the latest printed job ESCl Request of synchronisation Info ESCp0 End printer ´s pause mode

ESCp1 Set printer into pause mode ESCs Printer status query ESCt total cancel of all jobs ESCz Extended status request

*) available for Hermes A only !

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Immediate Commands

All Immediate commands are processed when a line end identifier is sent (CR, LF or CR/LF)

<abc> start of „abc“ (a-Series basic compiler) </abc> end of „abc“ (a-Series basic compiler) ; comment Comment line a set printer in aSCII dump mode c Direct cut

d t;name.... download graphic or font data

e t;name.... erase data

f form feed j job-ID l name Set language (country)

m unit Set measuring unit p status pause printer q b;name query bitmap font q d;name query dBase file on memory card q e;name query format file on memory card

q f query free memory q i;name query image availability q l;name query label file on memory card q m query memory type q p query peripheral types

q r query ribbon diameter q s;name query scaleable font availability q t query time and date r reset to default values s n set date/time

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Immediate Commands

All Immediate Commands are processed when a line end identifier is sent (CR, LF or CR/LF)

t[x] Run printer self-test v Request firmware version x d;uo Set peripheral (x) bits directly x e;uo Set peripheral (x) error value

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Label Format Commands

Label format commands are processed when a line end identifier is sent (CR, LF or CR/LF)

A [NO] n Amount of labels (end job/print) B [:name;] x, y , r, type,size,text Barcode field definition C cnt[,disp1[,disp2]] Set Cutter parameters C e Set Cutter to end-of-job D x,y Global Object Offset (Distance to margins)

E DBF;name Defines a DBF (database) file E LOG;name Defines a LOG file E RFID;... Define Files (Extension RFID ) E TMP;name Defines TMP (temporary) serial file E SQL;[IP of cabDatabaseconnector]:portnr Sets IP adress for SQL database access

F number;name Font number G [:name;] x, y , r; type:options, . . . Graphic field definition H speed[,h][,t][,r][,b] Heat, speed, and printing method I [:name;]x,y,r[,mx,my];imgname Image field definition J [comment] Job start

M c Memory card: content request M d type;name Memory card: delete file from card M f;name Memory card: format card M l type;[path]name Memory card: load file from card M r Memory card: repeat last label

M s type;name Memory card: store data on card M u type;[path]name uploads data to the host O [M,][R,][N,][p][T ,][U,] Set print Options P [disp] Set Peel-off mode R name;value Replace field contents

S [type:]yo,xo,length,dy ,wide. . . Set label Size

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Label Format Commands

Label format commands are processed when a line end identifier is sent (CR, LF or CR/LF)

T [:name;] x,y ,r, font,size . . ;data Text field definition X y[;uo] Synchronous setting of peripheral (eXternal) signal

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Special Content Fields

Time Functions

[H12] Print Hour in 12-hour form (1-12) [H24] Print Hour in 24-hour form (0-23) [H012] Print H0ur in 12-hour form (01-12) - always 2 digits [H024] Print H0ur in 24-hour form (01-24) - always 2 digits [ISOTIME] Prints the Time in ISO st andard format

[MIN] Print MINutes (00-59) [SEC] Print SEConds (00-59) [TIME] Print actual TIME in the format of the preset country [XM] am / pm indicator

Date Functions

[DATE{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print actual DA TE in the format of the preset country [DAY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print numeric DAY of the month (1-31) [DAY02{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print numeric 2-digit DAY of the month (01-31) [DOFY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print numeric Day OF Year(1-366) [ISODATE{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print ISO date

[ISOORDINAL{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print ISO ordinal [ODATE:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}] Print DATE with Offset * [wday{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print complete weekday name (0 = sunday) * [WDAY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print numeric WeekDAY(0-6)* [wday2{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print weekday name, 2 - digits shortened *

[wday3{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print weekday name, 3 - digits shortened* [ISOWDAY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print numeric WeekDAY (1-7) [WEEK{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print numeric WEEK (1-53) [WEEK02{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print numeric WEEK with 2 - digits (01-53) [OWEEK:+WW] Print WEEK with Offset (1-53)

* (in the format of the preset country)

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Special Content Fields

Date Functions (continued)

[mon{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print 3-character month name (i.e. jan)* [month{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print complete month name (i.e. january)* [MONTH{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print 2-digit MONTH (1-12) [MONTH02{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print 02-digit MONTH (01-12) (leading zeros, always 2 digits)

[YY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print 2-digit Year (00-99) [YYYY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print 4-digit Year (1970-2069)

* (in the format of the preset country)

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Special Content Fields

Jalali Date Functions ( Arab date )

[JYEAR{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Jalali-YEAR, 4 digits [JDAY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Jalali-DAY

[JDAY02{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Jalali-DA Y, 02 digits [JMONTH{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Jalali-MONTH [JMONTH02{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Jalali-MONTH, 02 digits

[jmonth{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Jalali-month, complete name [JDOFY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Jalali-Day OF Year [JWDAY{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Jalali-Week DAY (1=saturday)

Suriyakati Date Functions ( official date in Thailand )

[SYEAR{:+DD{,+MM{,+YY}}}] Print Suriyakati-YEAR, 4 digits

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Special Content Fields

Mathematical functions Field Calculations and Comparisons

[+:op1,op2. . ,] Addition [-:op1,op2] Subtraction [*:op1,op2. . ,] Multiplication [/:op1,op2] Division [%: op1,op2] Modulo

[|:op1,op2] Logical Or (Result 1, if minimum one operator is not equal to 0) [&:op1,op2] Logical And (Result 0, if min. one operator is 0)

[<: op1,op2] Comparison - Less than (1=TRUE, 0=FALSE) [=: op1,op2] Comparison - Equal (1=TRUE, 0=FALSE) [>: op1,op2] Comparison - Greater than (1=TRUE, 0=F ALSE)

[MOD10:x] Calculates and prints the Modulo 10 Check digit [MOD36:x] Calculates and prints the Modulo 36 Check digit [MOD43:x] Calculates and prints the Modulo 43 Check digit

[P:name,mn{o}] Print result in Price format [R:x] Rounding method [==:text1,text2] String comparision (1=TRUE, 0=FALSE)

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Special Content Fields

Special functions (miscellaneous)

[?:x,y ,z,{D},{Lx},{Mx},{R},{J}] Prompt line on the printer´s display [ABC:x] Insert ABC value [BIN:x{,y ...}] Insert Binary data [C:fill{,base}] Leading zero replacement [D:m,n] Set number of Digits to print

[DBF:keyfield,keyvalue,entryfield] DataBase Field [HEX:x] Hexadecimal conversion [I{!}{:cond}] Invisible fields [JOBID] print JOB ID [J:ml] Justification

[LEN:x] Returns the Length of a variable [LOWER:x] Converts the input data in lower case characters [LTRIM:x] Trim data Left [name] Access a field with a name [name,m{,n}] Insert substring from another field

[RTMP{:x}] Read from a TMP (serial) file [RTRIM:x] Trim data Right [S:name] Numeric Script style [SER:start{incr,{freq}}] Insert SERial numbering [SPLIT:field,index] Splits t able values

[U:x] Insert Unicode character [UPPER:x] Converts the input data in upper case characters [WINF] Writes value into the „INF“ buffer [WLOG] Write to LOG file [WTMP] Write to TMP (temporary) serial file

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Special Content Fields

RFID Functions

[LTAG...] Lock RFID TAG area [RTAG...] Read RFID TAG [RT AGBIN...] Read RFID T AG binary [T AGID] Read TAG ID [WTAG...] Write RFID TAG

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Special Content Fields

Database Connector commands

[SQL:Select field from table where Searchvalue] SQL - Query function [SQLLOG:xx] SQL - Logging function

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Special Content Fields

Special Barcode functions (not supported by all barcodes)

[ECE: 123456] Adds information for extended channel to barcodes

[APPEND:m,n,id1,id2] [APPEND:x,id] Adds information for linked barcodes [ANSI_DI] Adds information for ANSI - dat a identifier [ANSI_AI] Adds information for ANSI - application identifier

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I M P O R T A N T !!

All measurements of the examples in this manual are in millimeters !

The examples will not work properly when „country“ is set to USA in the printer´s setup menu. Select „Country = United Kingdom“ in the setup menu of the printer, or add „m m CR“ for metric measurement setting in the first line of your label sample. We highly recommend to add the mesurement command at the beginning of all of your labels, to avoid trouble with a different setup the printer, unless we did not show this command in our examples in this manual to keep the examples as small as possible.

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Chapter 3: ESC Commands

ESC commands

ESC commands cannot be handled by the most text editors. All other commands can be transmitted to the printer by using simple text editors.

ESC commands are used for activating printers via RS-485, while the printers are „listening“ to the bus, for resetting printers, requesting for free memory or for getting a direct status request. Details about each command are described on the following pages.

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ESCESC Replaces ESC in binary data

ESC ESC is used to replace single ESC (ASCII 27 or Hex 1D) in binary data to avoid unexpected reactions of the printers if graphics or fonts are downloaded.

Graphics or fonts may contain data which can be identical to a ESC printer command. Replacing these ESC characters into double ESCs will tell the printer that this is part of a graphics or part of a font.

Data formats must be checked before they are transmitted to the printer.

File transfer through a FTP connection requires no data conversion if the file is downloaded to the memory card.

Syntax:

ESCESC

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ESC!ESC! Hard Reset

forces the printer to perform a hard reset. This has the same effect as turning the printer off and on again.

Syntax:

The system starts up with the preset default values and shows in the display that data can be received. The display message depends on the preset language selection.

The printer is not able to receive data when the Hard Reset is accomplished. Please wait until the printer is restarted again and shows "Ready" in the display to receive data. Otherwise incoming data is discarded.

ESC!ESC!

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ESC* Activate all RS-485 printers

Activates all printers in a RS-485 network at the same time.

Syntax:

Sends the following data to all attached printers at the same time. This function is only available for printers which are (optional) equipped with the RS485 interface.

Please note that this optional interface hardware is not available for all label printing systems.

ESC*

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ESC. Start and stop value for binary data

Start and Stop value for binary data.

Syntax:

To transmit binary data -such as graphics or fonts etc. - it is highly recommended to use this method of data transmission. All ESC characters in a binary file have to be replaced by a double ESC (ESCESC) to avoid unexpected reactions by the printer.

A binary constellation -for example- which contains ESC c would be interpreted as „CANCEL JOB“, as soon as it is received by the printer. Therefore all ESC characters should be exchanged.

Data transmission through ftp requires no conversion.

ESC.

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ESC: Start description of binary data

Start description of binary dat a

Syntax:

cab printers offer a limited possibility to download data without converting them previously. (see also ESC. ) In this case ESC: is required as start sequence, followed by the binary data and finished with ESCendof-data.

Note: The binary data cannot contain any ESC character (ASCII 27 or HEX 1B) ! This would be automatically misinterpreted by the system. ESC: cannot be used in networks

The better and cleaner way to download binary data is the usage of ESC. We highly recommend to use the sequence.

ESC:

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ESC< Back feed of the material behind the photocell

Back feed material behind the photocell

Syntax:

The ESC< enables the printer to pull the label backward behind the internal photocell which detects the gap of the material. This function is only available on printing systems which are equipped with additional mechanics to control the material. ( Hermes - applicator series). Otherwise labels would slip out of the feed roller.

ESC<

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ESC? Request for free memory

query for free printer memory input buffer - printer returns a response of 0...9 through its interface.

Syntax:

ESC?

value percentage of used memory

0 = 0-9% 1 = 10-19% 2 = 20-29% 3 = 30-39% 4 = 40-49% 5 = 50-59% 6 = 60-69% 7 = 70-79% 8 = 80-89% 9 = 90-99%

Bidirectional communications must be enabled on the requesting computer.

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ESCa abc-status

Request for abc-status. (Response: XNNNNN) (abc = a-series basic compiler)

Syntax:

A descripton about abc and the available abc commands is shown later in this manual.

ESCa

X = Condition abc, I = idle, C = compiling, R = running, E = error, S = syntax error during compilation

NNNNN = actual line numbers (empty lines will not be counted!)

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ESCc - Cancel Printjob

The current printjob will be cancelled when this command is received by the printer. Equivalent to pressing the „CANCEL“ button on the printer.

Syntax:

Additional labels will processed if they are in the buffer. Please see also „ESC t“ command.

Wait for minimum one second before transmitting additional data, otherwise the printer will not recognize the following commands.

ESCc

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ESCend-of-data End description of binary data

End description of binary data.

Syntax:

Finishes the download of binary data. ESC: must be used first, followed by the binary data and closed by ESCend-of-data. Used for font and graphics download.

ESCend-of-data

Note: ESCend-of-data cannot be used in a RS-485 network!

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ESCf formfeed

formfeed - This command is equal to pressing „form feed“ on the navigator pad. Causes the printer to search the start position of the next label.

Syntax:

Sending a „ESC f“ is a simple method to see immediately if an attached printer receives data and if the connection is setup properly .

ESCf

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ESCg Print Start command

This command is equal to the signal on the external interface. ESCg is not available for applicators of the Hermes series.

Syntax:

ESCg

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ESCi Send value from the INF-memory

ESCi responds the last value of the INF memory .This can be used to get the value of the last printed label. The value uses the actual selected codepage and is finished with a carriage Return.

For more details please view the [WINF] command, which writes to the INF memory - described in the section of „Special commands“

Syntax:

ESCi

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ESCj Request for the latest printed job

ESCj is used together with the command " j " -described later in this manual. Using this command responds the name of the latest printed job. Can be used to get information about, if the print job was finished successfully . The responded value uses the actual selected codepage and ends with a carriage return.

Syntax:

Example:

ESCj

m m J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 T 25,25,0,3,13;Beer A1

ESCj

would generate a generic name if the " j " commmand has not been used and could look like this:

FTP-20091031-14:38:15

m m J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 T 25,25,0,3,13;Beer

j another way to control the printer

ESCj

would respond:

another way to control the printer

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ESCI Request of synchronisation info

ESCI (small letter L) sends information if labels are synchronized and if they are in print position. Delivers also the information about the measured label distance.

Syntax:

ESCl

Answer: XNNNN

X = Paper synchronized ( Y/N )

NNNN = Label distance in millimeters

If the distance is unknown, the response will be „0000“

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ESCp0 End printer´s pause mode

ends the printer´s pause mode. P AUSE on the printer´s front panel extinguishes and the printjob in the buffer proceeds.

Syntax:

Note: This command cancels also existing errors when they are shown in the display of your printer.

- Same function like pressing the PSE button on the navigatior pad.

ESCp0

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ESCp1 Set printer into pause mode

causes the printer immediately to set the pause mode. This command has the same function such as pressing the „P AUSE“ button on the printer

Syntax:

ESCp1

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ESCs Printer status query

ESCs Printer status query ,which responds through the interface

Syntax:

ESCs

Answer: XYNNNNNNZ

where:

X = Online (Y=Y es, N=No)

Y = Type of error:

NNNNNN = amount of labels to print

Z = Interpreter active (Y=Yes = print job is in process,

N=No= printer in Standby mode)

Error types:

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------No error a ---- Applicator error- ----- Applicator did not reach the upper position b ---- Applicator error- ------ Applicator did not reach the lower position c ---- Applicator error– ------------------------------ Vacuum plate is empty d ---- Applicator error- ------------------------------------- Label not deposit e ---- Applicator error- -----------------------------------------Host stop/error f ----- Applicator error- -------------------------- Reflective sensor blocked g ---- Applicator error --------------------------------------- Tamp pad 90° error h ---- Applicator error ----------------------------------------- Tamp pad 0° error i ----- Applicator error --------------------------------Table not in front position j ----- Applicator error -------------------------------- Table not in rear position k ---- Applicator error --------------------------------------------------- Head liftet l ----- Applicator error --------------------------------------------------Head down m ------------------------------------------------------------- Scanresult negative n ------------------------------------------------------------- global Network error

(this can be: no link, no timeserver, no SQL client,

no SMTP server, no DHCP server or IP adress conflict)

o -------------------------------------------------------------- Compressed air-error r---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RFID -error s ------------------------------------ System fault (immediately after power on) u ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USB error

(1)

(4)

(3)

... continued on the next page...

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ESCs Printer status query

Error types: (continued)

A------------------------------ Applicator error (only older firmware releases) B---------------------------------------------Protocol error/ invalid barcode data C------------------------------------------------------------------ Memory card error D---------------------------------------------------------------------- Printhead open E -----------------------------------------Synchronization error (No label found) F ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Out of Ribbon G --------------------------------------------------------------- PPP reload required H-----------------------------------------------------------Heating voltage problem M ------------------------------------------------------------------- Cutter jammed N----------------------------------------------- Label material too thick (cutter) O ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Out of memory P -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Out of paper R------------------------------------ Ribbon dectected in Thermal direct mode S ------------------------------------------------------------Ribonsaver malfunction V ----------------------------------------------------------------Input buffer overflow W ------------------------------------------------------------ Print head overheated X --------------------------------------------------------------------External I/O error Y ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Print head error Z ----------------------------------------------------------------- Printhead damaged

(2)

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ESCs Printer status query

Note: Immediately when a job has started the printer will send a Y and sets this value back to N when the last label of this job is printed.

(1) This status request can only be processed on printing systems which are equipped with an attached applicator !

(2) Error messages for optional devices such as „cutter jammed“ depend on the availability of the optional device and may vary between different printer types. i.e. No cutter errors on Hermes A4 applicators (These options are not available for these models.)

(3) Network error: Only on printers with an optional or built in network interface. (No print server)

(4) Scanresult negative requires an optional barcode scanner. The availability of the optional barcode scanner depends on the printing system.

(5) Status requests should not be sent in very short cycles ! Minimum time between a status request should be not less than 0.5 seconds.

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ESCt total cancel

ESC t = total cancel - terminates the actual printjob and clears the complete input buffer .

Resets also errors in the display . Same effect like pressing „Cancel“ button on the control panel multiple times.

Syntax:

Please see also ESCc which cancels only the actual printjob.

Wait for minimum three seconds before transmitting additional data, otherwise the printer will not recognize the following commands.

ESCt

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ESCz Extended status request

ESC z = exteded status request which is also accessible using the PEEK „xstatus“ in abc

Syntax:

All characters are normally N. In addition to ESCs this string is finalized with a carriage return, which allows additional status information in the future.

ESCz

Answer: ABCDEFGHIJK CR

A = Y = Printer is paused B = Y = Printer has a job C = Y = Printer not ready for print data D = Y = Paper is moving E = Y = Ribbon pre-warning (hardware dependend) F = Y = Paper prewarning (hardware dependend) G = Y = Label in demand position H = Y = Label on vacuum plate (hardware dependend) I = Y = Applicator not ready (hardware dependend) J = Y = External pause signal active (hardware dependend) K = Y = External print signal acive (hardware dependend)

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CHAPTER 3 - Immediate commands

Immediate commands

Instructions with ( almost ) lowercase letters are used for adjustments and settings which must not have something to do with the actual printjob. They are active as long as the printer is powered up or when these values get overwritten.

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<ABC> - Start of the abc Basic Compiler

This command starts the internal Basic compiler . The Basic compiler offers the functions of the basic programming language „Y ABASIC“. The usage of abc requires good programming knowledge.

abc can be used to create functionalities which are not covered by JScript. The usage of the basic compiler could be to convert incoming data into a format which can be processed by the printer (JScript) or for additional calculations and further influence on the printer. So an additional programming language has been added to your printer.

Syntax:

Possible usage is to convert text strings - sent by a scale into JScript, or to convert incoming data which was prepared for competitive printers into an understandable format for cab printers.

See also the command: </ABC> End of the abc Basic Compiler.

abc is not an emulator !! More information can be found in the „abc a-series basic compiler“ chapter later in this manual. abc is not required for the programming of „standard labels“, but it offers nearly unlimited functions. abc is still a beta release. More infos about the possibilities of abc can be found later in this manual.

Detailed information about Yabasic can be found at http://www.yabasic.de

<ABC>

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</ABC> - End of the abc Basic Compiler

Sets the end mark for the abc compiler (internal BASIC language)

Syntax:

See also: <ABC> - Start of the abc Basic Compiler.

</ABC>

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<ENCRYPTED LABEL...> - Start of an ENCRYPTED label

This command marks the start of an encrypted label file, followed by the board number. Important: This command requires additional action from cab. It cannot be used without the help through cab.

Syntax:

Each "X2" mainboard has a unique serial number which can be used beneath a lot of other features to encrypt label contents to protect your programming work.

Label encryption needs to be done by cab or by registered cab resellers only !

A label which looks like this here:

may look like the 2 lines below after it is encryped.

nnnnnnnnnnnn = unique main board number

J S l1;0,0,68,71,104 T 10,10,0,3,5;Test label, encrypted A 1

This file can then be loaded for example from on a memory card. It will only execute on this specific printer with the serial number "1 11063523313"

Please contact the cab representative if you need more details.

The description of this command has been added for your understanding, just in case if you are confronted with this command in the ASCII dump mode.

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<ENCRYPTED JOB> - Start of an ENCR YPTED job

This command starts a previously encrypted print job.

Syntax:

Encrypted printjobs need some special support from cab.

The description of this command has been added for your understanding, just in case if you are confronted with this command in the ASCII dump mode.

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</ENCRYPTED JOB> - End of an ENCRYPTED job

This command finishes an encrypted print job.

Syntax:

Encrypted printjobs need some special support from cab.

The description of this command has been added for your understanding, just in case if you are confronted with this command in the ASCII dump mode.

</ENCRYPTED JOB>

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; - Comment line

The semicolon „ ; „ is used to identify a comment line. Comments may be placed anywhere in your program code, in a separate line.

Comment lines are ignored by the printer. Comment lines are very helpful to keep a better overview on the programming data.

Syntax:

Example:

Please note that comment lines need additional time to be transmitted to the printer. A void to use comments in time critical situations.

; comment line

; My first label - Jobstart ; m m sets the printer to measurement"Millimeters"

m m ; "J" starts my print job J ; set size of the label S l1;0,0,68,70,100 ; create a text line T 10,40,0,3,16;Hello ; print one label with the command "A" (amount) A 1

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a - ASCII Dump Mode

The a command starts the ASCII dump mode. The ASCII dump mode shows all received data and is a very important instrument to detect wrong data in the program code. The printer´s LCD panel shows „ASCII dump mode“ in the selected language. All received data is printed „transparent“ and the printer doesn´t interpret it.

The ASCII Dump Mode is also select able through the navigator pad. Note: After ASCII Dump Mode is selected you must confirm this selection with the ENTER button of the navigator pad.

Syntax:

The following data creates a label with one line of text. Please view the picture below which shows the same label in ASCII Dump mode.

If „protocol errors“ are shown on the label means, that there is a mistake in the program code!

a m m J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 T 25,25,0,3,13;ASCII Dump Mode A1 f

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a - ASCII Dump Mode

The following example shows that something is wrong in the text line. We used a font (font number 20 which is maked in bold charcters in the sample below and which is not available in the printer. This is recognized by the printer which points us to the line which needs to be corrected.

There is no list of "possible Protocol errors" as nearly everything which can not be interpreted by the printer can be shown in the printer´s display or in the printout of the ASCII dump mode. Pressing the blinking "pause button" skips the most Protocol errors and finishes the label ( unless there is some content which is totally wrong or if no label size is defined)

Pressing the printer´s "cancel button" cancels the print job.

Example:

If „protocol errors“ are shown on the label means, that there is a mistake in the program code!

;a m m J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 T 25,25,0,20,13;ASCII Dump Mode A 1 f

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c - Direct cut

The c ommand forces the printer to cut immediately when it is received. If required, the printer will do a formfeed before the cut is processed.

This command is not available for Hermes and for the PX module.

Syntax:

The printer shows „Protocol error c<--“ on the display if no cutter is attached.

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d - download data (pictures, fonts etc...)

The d command is used to download data files to the printer. It is used to download graphics, font s, databases and serial files (temporary files).T wo methods are available to download such data to the printer:

1st Method:

The procedure which we highly recommend, unless this requires that the data has to be prepared for downloading.

Syntax:

2nd Method:

will transmit the data as it is, but it may occasionally misinterpret embedded ESC characters in the data as a printer command. ( i.e. ESC t would be misinterpreted as memory reset).

Syntax:

d type;name[SAVE] [B:± value]

d type;name[SAVE] [B:± value]CR ESC:

d = download data

type = the type of data that will follow, using standard file name extensions

Graphic formats: BMP - Windows bitmap format Monochrome, 256 Colors, 24

GIF - Graphic Interchange Format (GIF 87a and GIF 89a) IMG - GEM Image format Monochrome MAC - MacPaint format PCX - Paintbrush format Monochrome, 16 and 256colors PNG - Portable Network Graphics TIF - TIFF Format© Aldus Corp. Monochrome, Greyscale

ASC - Graphic in ASCII format

ESC.

binary data

Bit Truecolor, plane only , uncompressed

and color. ( 4Bit and 8Bit per pixel, RGB 8 Bit per pixel)Compression: Only packbits and uncompressed.

ESC.

ESCend-of-data

Vector font format: TTF - TrueType font format

Database format: DBF - dBASE IV Database formats (Field type must be text)

others: TMP - Serial numbering (temporary) file in ASCII format

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d - download data (pictures, fonts etc...)

We recommend to use monochrome graphics only! The resolution should not be higher than the printer´s printhead resolution.

name = Filename to be downloaded with a maximum length of 8-digits.

This filename will be recalled on later programming.

[SA VE] = This optional parameter is used for downloading to the printer´s

memory card. (The memory card commands (M ... explain more possibilities, please see there for more details) The [SA VE] option copies the file from the printers memory to the memory card.

B: ± value = Sets the brightness of dithering on graphics. Valid values

are ± 20.

Example:

Syntax:

B:+5 makes the picture 5 steps darker.

ESC.<graphics data> ESC

= 1st Method for downloading data. Data format is binary , where the ESC characters (ASCII 27 or HEX 1B) have to be replaced first through a double ESC (ESCESC) to avoid unexpected reactions of the printer. ESC commands, (requests etc.) can be used during the download of this data. cab offers the tool: DOWNLOAD.EXE (downloadable at http://www .cabgmbh.com) to convert existing files.

d BMP;CABLOGO CR ESC. binary data ESC.

Downloads the graphics: cablogo.BMP to the printer

ESC: <graphicsdata> ESCend-of-data

= 2nd Method for downloading data. Data format is binary, starting with ESC: and followed by ESCend-of-data (ASCII 27 or HEX 1B) followed by ASCII text string < end-of-data >. With this method it is allowed that the data stream contains ESC sequences in the data stream until the ESCendofdata is received.

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d - download data (pictures, fonts etc...)

Example:

We highly recommend to use the 1st Method for data download !!

Example:

Database files have to be downloaded with the [SAVE] option, as they are only used together with the memory card. This function is useful for „small“ databases. Big databases need a long search time for single records. In this case we recommend the usage of the optional cab Database connector . See more at the DataBaseConnector command area. (cab Databaseconnector is not available for the M-series printers)

d TTF;ARIAL<CR> ESC:

DBF;

CDPlayer

Downloads the database file CDPlayer .DBF to the printer .

[SAVE]CR ESC.

data

ESCend-of-data

binarydata

ESC.

cab sells a helpful tool ( the cab card manager) which can be used to download files through the serial interface to the memory card. This simplifies data conversion and download.

An alternative tool for downloading and editing directly on the memory card is the cab network manager which connects through the ethernet interface to the printer and which offers more direct access to the printer.

Data can also be saved on a card drive for Compact Flash cards. Please note, that the CF-cards have to be formatted (erased) in the printers memory card slot. This automatically generates also the required folders on the card.

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d - download data (pictures, fonts etc...)

DOWNLOAD ASCII graphics

ASCII-Graphic format

The stucture is similar to the IMG format, but uses only ASCII characters, to enable a easy usage for host devices or ERP systems.

Following rules are used:

• all data are hex bytes, i.e. 0-9 and a-f or A-F

• The printer waits as long for data until the defined picture size is received.

• Spaces and carriage returns can be added on different locations. It is required that a carriage return is sent at the end of the picture data.

• The image data can be compressed with a simple algorithm which is black/white optimized.

• The image data are transmitted from top to bottom, each time from left to right. A value byte 80 stands left of 01.

• The first line describes the width and the height of a picture. Width and height are 16 bit values each in the Big-Endian format.

• Also if the width is not devidable by 8it is required that the missing pixel must be transmitted

Each line will be transmitted with following values:

• 1. Optional repetition factor, caused by 00 00 FF xx, whereby xx describes the amount of copies of the actual line.

• Picture data - whereby different descriptions are optional possible. a: Zerobytes are displayed through the amount of bytes.V alid input: 00 to FF. b: Blackbytes (FF) can also be described through the amount of bytes, beginning from 81 (81 means 1 time FF, - valid values are 81 to FF . c: A directly encoded number of bytes starts with 80 - followed by the amount of data, i.e. 80 03 123456. The amout of transmitted bytes can be between 01 and 7F. d: A repeated pattern of arbitrary bytes can be initiated with a sequence 00 nn xx, which

means that xx bytes will be inserted nn times.

Example: 00 04 AA generates AAAAAAAA.

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d - download data (pictures, fonts etc...)

The following example shows how a graphic file may look as ASCII dat a. W e download this file with the name "cab.asc" in the graphics folder of the optional memory card of the printer (or in the internal Flash File System - IFFS) to recall it with the label data shown on the next page. The example below is not length optimized. The explanation in italic letters does not belong to the graphics data.

Example:

0053 0020 CR

0000FF09

06 800207F0

03 CR 800B007FFF003FFFE7F7FF0000 CR

800101 82 800103 82 8005E7F7FFF000 CR

800107 82 800107 82 8005E7F7FFF800 CR 80010F 82 80011F 82 8005E7F7FFFE00 CR 80011F 82 80013F 82 8002E7F7 82 01 CR 80013F 82 80013F 82 8002E7F7 82 01 CR 80013F 82 80017F 82 8002E7F782800180 CR 800B7F80007F800FE7F0007F80 CR 80017F 02 8008FE000FE7F0001FC0 CR 80017E 02 8008FE000FE7F0001FC0 CR 0000FF04 80017E 02 8008FC000FE7F0000FC0 CR 80017F 02 8008FE000FE7F0001FC0 CR 800B7F8000FF000FE7F0003FC0 CR 800B3FF000FFC00FE7F0007F80 CR 80013F 82 80047FFFEFE7 83 800180 CR 80011F 82 80043FFFEFE7 83 01 CR 80010F 82 80041FFFEFE7 82 8002FE00 CR 800107 82 80040FFFEFE7 82 8002FC00 CR 800101 82 800407FFEFE7 82 8002F800 CR 8007003FFF00FFEFE7 82 8002E000 CR

- repeats the line 4times

- describes a picture with 83 pixels width and 32 pixels height.

- repeats the actual line 9 times

- 6 zero bytes

- one bitstring, consists of 2 bytes with 07 and F0

- three zero bytes

- picture data directly sent as bit string

- picture data, mixed, compressed and direct.

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d - download data (pictures, fonts etc...)

The sample below recalls the graphic file from memory card and prints the image on the defined position. In this case we used the data shown on the previous page of this manual.

Example:

M l IMG;cab m m J S l1;0,0,68,73,100 I:TEST;3,30,0,2,2;cab A1

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e - erase data

The e command is used to erase data from the printer´s memory (RAM), such as fonts and graphics. Data on the memory card will not be affected by this sequence. Separate commands are available for erasing files from the memory card. ( see also the „M“ commandlater in this manual )

Syntax:

Example:

e type;name

e - erase data command

type = The file types being removed, with following valid file

name = The name attached to the font or graphic when it was

e FNT;*

extensions: Images: BMP, GIF, IMG, MAC, PCX, PNG, TIF Fonts: FNT , TTF. (FNT can be used for all font types and IMG can be used for all picture types)

sent to the printer . A wildcard ( * ) may be used to delete all files of the same type. "name" is not case sensitive.

Erases all true type fonts which are currently in the printer’s memory.

Example:

Erases the picture with the name "logo" in the printer´s memory

The printer keeps the received graphic fles in its internal memory until it will be switched off or until these files will be erased or overwritten.

e IMG;logo

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f - formfeed

This command feeds the media forward until the top-of-form of the next label reaches the printhead. It does the same as pressing the feed button on the printer´s control panel. This process is controlled by the label photocell if die cut label material is used. The printer feeds the material in continuous form mode in the length which had been selected for the last printed label. The label photocell is disabled for gap detection and controls only if paper is out. In continuous form mode the printer counts the steps of the stepper motor to reach the expected print length.

Syntax:

Example:

feeds 2 empty labels.

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j - job-ID

Sets the job ID for the actual print job / part of the print job. This command is used together with "ESCj". The printer generates a generic name if the "j" command is used without additional information. This string has following structure: source interface / label name-date-time. The "j" command needs to be positioned after the job start command ("J"), otherwise the job ID would be overwritten.

Syntax:

like this:

j Job-ID

m m J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 T 25,25,0,3,13;Beer A1

ESCj

would generate a generic name if the " j " commmand has not been used and could look

FTP-20091031-14:38:15

( "ESC j" is used to show the result. The infomation is sent to the interface )

m m J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 T 25,25,0,3,13;Beer

j another way to control the printer

ESCj

would respond:

another way to control the printer

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l - Change Language ( country )

Date format, currency , measurement etc. are changed with this command to the country specific values. Time and date will be printed as it is usual in the specified country. (See also „Special Content Fields) The display on the printers LCD will not be changed. (This can be done using the printer´s setup through the control panel)

Syntax:

l name

l - Change language/country command.

name = DOS short keyboard code for the country. Valid values are:

BE - Belgium / french BF - Belgium / flamic BG - Bulgaria CZ - Czech Republic DK - Denmark

FR - France GK - Greece GR - Germany HR - Kroatia HU - Hungary

IR - Iran IT - It aly LA - Latinoamerica LT - Lituvia MK - Macedonia

MX - Mexico NL - Netherlands NO - Norway PL - Poland PT - Portugal

RU - Russia SA - South Africa SE - Sweden SF - Switzerland / french SG - Switzerland / german

SP - Spain SR - Serbia SU - Suomi (Finland) TH - Thailand TR - Turkey

UK - United Kingdom (Great Britain) US - USA* ZH - China

*selects measurements in inches !

The "r" command resets the language to the default value in the printer´s setup

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l - Change Language ( country )

The following example prints the date, while the " l "command changes the language into "german", which causes that the date prints in german style: Day.Month.Year ( separated with dots )

Example:

l GR

J S l1;0,0,68,71,100 T 25,25,0,5,8;[DATE] A1

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m - set measuring unit

This command sets the measuring unit for the following label data. Once it is sent, all following settings in a label are measured in the selected unit.

The printer´s default value depends on the selected display language. For all selectable countries the measurement is millimeters, with the exception when country USA was set through the control p anel. We recommend to use this command always, especially for international companies where different programmers create labels as the measuring unit is only changed for the individual label being printed.

The measuring unit cannot change within one label. All internal calculations are processed in millimeters, as these values are better to overview and they follow a worldwide standard.

m t

Syntax:

m - Set measuring unit command.

t = The measuring system desired,

„m“ for metric (millimeters) or „i“ for historical (inches, tenths and hundredths of an inch).

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m - set measuring unit

The next example shows the same label programmed with different measurement settings. The result is the same. The first example is programmed in inches, the second example is programmed with metric measurement settings.

Example:

m i

J T 0.79,1.18,0,3,0.2;Measuring Unit A1

m m

J T 20,30,0,3,5;Measuring Unit A1

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p - pause Printer

The printer is set in the pause mode or removes it from pause - depending on the parameter.

p n

Syntax:

p - pause printer

n = 0 = Pause off

1 = Pause on

Example:

Sets the printer into pause mode. If a print job runs, it will stop after the label is printed. Pause lights on the front panel.

p 1

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q - query Printer

The query printer command is used to get multiple information back from the printer and is e.g.. used to find out if a font or a picture exists, so that has not to be downloaded a second time. The q command responds through the printer´s interface. All bidirectional interfaces can be used.

Syntax:

q X;name

q - query different infos from the printer,where X =

b;name CR = Query for a bitmap font. Answer: Y/N.

d;name CR = Query for a database. Answer: Y/N

e;name CR = Query for media. Answer: Y/N

f CR = Query for free memory. Answer: xxxxxxxbytes free

Requests the printer if a specified bitmap font is available.

Requests the printer if the dBase database (DBF) file called „name“ is available on the memory card.

Requests the printer if the media (FMT) file called „name“ is available.

Reports the free (available) memory , which may be used for downloaded data. Requests the printer if the image ( IMG ) file called „name“ is available either in memory or on memorycard.

i;name CR = Query for image Answer: Y/N if available in

memory , or C if the pictogram is available on memory card.

l;name CR = Query for label Answer: label name

Requests the printer if a specified label is available.

m CR = Query for the memory card type

Answer: Format "type, xxx kByte.CR", - The response will be "No card CR“ if no memory card is attached to the printer

continued on the next page

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q - query Printer

The query printer command is used to get multiple information back from the printer and is e.g.. used

q - query , X =

p CR = Query for peripheral equipment

Reports the type of peripheral devices that are connected. Possible responses are: NONE CR,

CUTTER CR, REWINDER CR, DEMAND SENSOR CR, BLOW ON CR, TRIGGER CR

(Applicator)

Possible answers depend on the printer type and it´s available options !! Used to verify if a label can be processed on the selected printer. Very helpful if multiple printers with different peripheral equipments are connected.

r CR = Query for ribbon diameter. Answer: diameter of the

ribbon roll in mm.

If the ribbon roll has not been measured, the answer will be -1 Can be used to get an early warning when the ribbon is close to be finished.

s;name CR = Query for scaleable fonts Answer: Y/N or C if the font had

been found on the memory card. This command is used to check if a specified font is available to find out if it has to be downloaded (again).

t CR = Query for time and date Answer: yymmddhhmmss CR

yy = Year - 2 digits mm = Month. - 2 digits dd = da y - 2 digits hh = hour - 2 digits mm = minutes - 2 digits ss = seconds - 2 digits

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r - reset to default values

This command resets JScript to the printer´s default values.

- resets the language

- resets slashed zero setting

- resets the selected measurement system

- erases the fontcache

-sets the date setting back to the selected country in the setup

Syntax:

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s - set Date/Time

Used to set date and time to be recalled on a label. The printer has an internal real time clock which keeps date and time. If it is required this command can be used to synchronize the attached device and the printer.

Syntax:

Example:

s n[ss]

s = Set date / time command.

s 081105091500

n = ASCII - string in following format to adjust date and time in the

printer of following format: YYMMDDhhmmss

YY = Year - 2 digits

MM = Month. - 2 digit s DD = day - 2 digits hh = hour - 2 digits mm = minutes - 2 digits [ss] = seconds - 2 digits

(values between 70 and 99 are interpreted as 1970-1999. Anything else is treated as year2000)

(setting of ss is optional)

Sets printer date and time to: November 24, 2008 9:15 a.m.

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t - Run Printer Self-test

cab printers have multiple built in self -tests. A self test can be processed through the printer´s control panel (see operator´s manual) or by software. The printout of the status information may look different on different printer types. Information about optional equipment, such as interfaces, cutter etc. will only be shown if they are attached.

Syntax:

t{n}

t - run printer selftest

n = 0 - prints status information

= 1 - prints the font list = 2 - prints the device list = 3 - prints the label profile = 4 - reserved = 5 - prints the test grid = 6 - wireless network status (requires installed WLAN card) * = 7 - RFID measurement (requires installed cab RFID reader)**

The status test is displayed in the selected language of the printer . * Only available for printers which support the WLAN card (X2 board) ** Only available on Mach 4.

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t - Run Printer Self-test

Example:

The status printout is different when printed by different printer types. A detailed description of the listed values can be found in the operator´s manual. T ransmitting „t“ without any additional number causes the printer also to do a status printout.

prints the status information (here A4+/300)

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t - Run Printer Self-test

The label below shows a list of the printer´s internal fonts. If additionally downloaded, T rue type fonts will also be shown on the printout in their actual shape. (see the font list below)

Example:

prints a label with a list of all existing fonts. ( fontlist ) A det ailed description about the internal font s is shown later in the manual where the usage of textfields is describedand in Appendix C.

t 2

prints the list with all attached devices.

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t - Run Printer Self-test

Example:

produces following result after the printer feeded a few empty labels for the measurement process. ( Label profile )

Example:

prints a text grid which can be used for the printhead adjustment or to control the print quality of the printer. ( Testgrid )

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t - Run Printer Self-test

Example:

shows information about the optional wireless network card. ( WiFi status ) (A wireless network card needs to be inst alled to run this test)

Example:

prints the RFID measurement info. (Mach 4 only) (RFID measurement ) (The printer must be equipped with the optional RFID unit)

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v - Firmware version

The v command requests the firmware version, release date and printer model. The printer responds through the interface.

Syntax:

Example:

An A4+/300 printer will respond on this request with following string:

3.17 Sep 26 2008 (A4+/300)

Firmware Release Printer version date model

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x - Synchronous Peripheral Signal Settings

The signal bits of the peripheral connector for external connections can be set with this command. Usage: Together with an optional adapter with electrical protected interface. The availability of these adapters depends on the used printing system.

IMPORTANT: Never connect any non cab item directly to the printers auxiliary interface ! In all cases you will need an optional adapter with the required interface !!! Connections directly on the auxiliary interface may damage the printer electronics ! The auxiliary interface does not deliver the following signals directly.

This command controls the status of the output pins. The x command was added to take control over peripheral device, which is usually other than the offered cab equipment. The four signal bits can be set as follows:

Control bit 0, set on when a label starts printing Control bit 1, toggled when a new print job starts Control bit 2, set on for error Control bit 3, set on when label is in the peel-off position

Each of these bits can be set or reset for individual needs. The bit signals can be used to control external - non cab - devices.

T o reset all of these bit s, use ESC!ESC! (see ESC commands)

Syntax:

The usage of this command depends on the printer type. The description of the pin assignment can be found in the available documentation for the optional adapters

x m;m

x - Snchronous Peripheral Signal Setting Command

m = Mask (hex nibble).

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z - print slashed / unslashed zero

The default setting for the zero character is unslashed. With this command the printer can be forced to change the style of the zero character. It can be printed as 0 (unslashed) or Ø (slashed).

This command can only be used with internal bitmap fonts. It is not available for internal vectorfonts (Swiss, Swiss bold and Monotype) or for truetype fonts: The selected method is valid for the complete label.

Syntax:

Example:

z t

z - Select slashed zero

t = 0 - (zero - prints slashed zeros (Ø) )

= O -(upper case letter O - prints unslashed zeros (0) )

J S l1;0,0,68,71,100 T 25,25,0,-3,x9,y9;1000 A1

Prints the number 1000 with slashed zeroes.

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CHAPTER 4 - Label Format Commands

Label Format Commands

Instructions with uppercase letters are used to describe the label itself. This has a fix structure, beginning with the start command, the description of the labelsize and description of each object in the label. At the end of the label the printer expects the command for amount of labels to print. The printer starts printing when the amount command is received, unless it is suppressed by special options.

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A - Amount of Labels

The A command is used to define the end of the label definition and to set the amount of labels to be printed. The printer repeats internally the defined label where the amount is defined by this command. The label will stay in the printer´s internal buffer , af ter it has been sent to the printer. sending the A command multiple times afterwards will print the amount of labels which is specified by the A command.

Syntax:

A [n]

A - amount of labels

n = number of labels to print (Multiple options are available:)

[NOPRINT] = receives and processes the label, but suppresses

a printout. (Used for saving a label on memorycard). It is also possible to key in [NO] instead of [NOPRINT]

[?] = printer prompts on its display for the quantity or is

also used to be replaced from any attached system

[REPEAT] = Repeats the label at the end (makes only sense

together with the [?]option. It is also possible to use [R] instead of [REPEA T]

[$DBF] = Prints each record of a database. Number of

records = number of labels.

Example:

A -without any value prints until the print job is cancelled

J S l1;0,0,68,71,100 T 25,10,0,5,8;LABEL PRINTER

A 550

prints 550 labels with the text line: „LABEL PRINTER“

J S l1;0,0,68,71,100 T 25,10,0,5,8;LABEL PRINTER

prints "infinite" amount of labels

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A - Amount of Labels

Example:

Transmits the label for further usage into the label buf fer. The Printout is suppressed with the [NOPRINT] option.

It is also possible to shorten the [NOPRINT] option into [NO] - which has the same function.

Example:

Requests the user (on the printer´s display) for data entry ( [?:Input?] ) and prompts for the amount of labels to print. The data entry will be done through the printers control panel or through an attached keyboard.

J S l1;0,0,68,71,100 T 25,25,0,3,8;Suppress Printout A [NOPRINT]

J S l1;0,0,68,71,100 T 25,25,0,3,8;[?:Input?]

A [?]

Example:

Prints all records of the database CDPLA YER.DBF, where the serial numbering function is used to create the index file, starting at 100.

Special function: T ransmitting „A“ without parameter causes the printer to print a infinite number of labels. Don´t forget the „carriage return“ after the last command in the label !

m m J S l1;0,0,68,73,100 E DBF;CDPLAYER T:IDX;25,225,0,3,5;[SER:100] T0,40,0,3,6;>>[DBF:TYP,typ,NAME]<< A [$DBF]

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B - Barcode Definition

The B command defines a barcode field in the label format. The most common barcode types are supported by the cab printers.

The parameters for each barcode are different, depending on the selected barcode type. Barcodes can be printed in one of four different directions (0°,90°,180° and 270°). Height and width of the barcode elements are adjustable. Human readable text lines can be easily added.

Syntax:

B[:name;]x,y,r,type[+options],size;text CR

B - Barcode field

[:name;] = Optional fieldname

x = X - Coordinate

y = Y - Coordinate

r = Rotation

type = Barcode type

[+options] = Optional parameters

size = Barcode height and width, ratio

text = Barcode data

This is the global structure of a barcode field, a detailed description follows on the next pages

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B - Barcode Definition

B - Descriptor of a Barcode field, this is identified by the printer that the following

data is used to create a barcode.

[:name;] = describes the field name and is optional. The maximum length

of this name is 10 characters, no special characters allowed. A field name can be used for further operations, such as calculations ,as linked field, for field replacements or for the enhanced usage when downloaded to a memorycard etc. The field name must be unique in each label.

x = The x - coordinate is the horizontal start position of a barcode

(in millimeters or inches), the distance between the left margin of a label and the upper left corner of the barcode.

y = The y - coordinate is the vertical start position of a barcode,

the distance between the top margin of a label and the upper left corner of the barcode. The maximum coordinate depends on the printer type. Please refer to the operator´s manual.

r = Rotation - Rotates a barcode in 4 directions. Valid values are 0,

90, 180 and 270. Measurement in degrees.

type = Barcode type - This defines the barcode symbology. Barcode

types with upper case names produce barcodes with human readable characters, while lower case names for the barcodes suppress the human readable line. The size of the human readable characters are depending on the selected barcode type. More details are shown in the examples on the following pages. cab printers are able to extract necessary portions of a barcode ame, which means that e.g. EAN-13, EAN 13 and EAN13 will print identical results.

continued on the next page

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B - Barcode Definition - options overview

[+options] Depending on the barcode type, several options are available. Which

option is valid for which barcode is described for each barcode type on the next pages. Following options are available:

+MODxx = offers the possibility to add a modulo check digit to a barcode

MOD10 adds a modulo 10 check digit MOD11 adds a modulo 11 check digit MOD16 adds a modulo 16 check digit MOD36 adds a modulo 36 check digit MOD43 adds a modulo 43 check digit

The available check digits depend on the barcode type

+WSarea = white space area - prints white zone markers for design

purposes. The white space size defines the quiet zone which is required for a good scanability of the printed code. „area“ defines the size of the markers which are shown with this command. (can be also "0" )

+BARS = Prints boundary lines above and below the barcode.

+UPBAR = Prints a boundary line above the barcode

+DOWNBAR = Prints a boundary line below the barcode

+XHRI = (Extended Human Readable Interpretation) adds start - and

stop characters (*) for Code 39. Adds start and stop boxes for Code 93. Reduces the size of UPC-A and UPC-E (see det ails in the examples)

+NOCHECK = suppresses the check digit calculation for variable weight

barcodes (EAN-13 and UPC-A with specific st art numbers :21,

24...29)

+ELx = Error Level . sets the redundancy of some 2D barcodes. V alid

values for x depends on the barcode type - please see the details later in the manual

+RECT = Barcode type DataMatrix can be printed as a rectangle or as a

square. The default value is square. The +RECT option forces the printer to print this barcode as a rectangle.

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B - Barcode Definition - options overview

+VERIFYn = Used to verify the barcode data. +VERIFYn needs a barcode

testing equipment which is available as an option. If required please ask cab Produkttechnik for that additional barcode reader and describe the application. cab offers a solution for 1 D and 2D codes whereby the scanner is attached through a specific interface directly in front of the printer.

+VERIFYn does a string comparision with the data received by the printer plus the calculated checksum. „n“ is the starting value in millimeters or inches, whatever is set up in your label.

Restrictions:

1. + VERIFYn can be used only once in a label and starts the scan when the barcode arrives in the read window of the scanner.

2. +VERIFYn does not work when a barcode is sent as graphics to the printer. For graphical barcodes use the „GOODBAD“ function, described later in the chapter.

3. Functionality and technical possibilities depend strongly on the barcode reader type. Please refer to the barcode reader manual for detailed information. Please contact cab for further information.

Example:

J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 O R B 10,16,0,CODE39+VERIFY0,20,.5,4;987656789 A 1

GOODBADn = and content check - attached USB sanner verifies the data.

In this example, the scanner starts at 0 mm from top of the barcode with scanning and compares the read data with the transmitted data string.

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B - Barcode Definition - options overview

+GOODBADn = Same function as +VERIFYn without checking the content. Only

good read or bad read will be controlled. Checks the answer on NoReadString „?“ „n“ is the starting value in millimeters or inches, whatever is set up in your label.

Example:

m m J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 O R B 5,12,0,CODE39+GOODBAD0,5,.5,4;1234567890 A 1

In this example, the scanner starts at 5 mm from top of the barcode with scanning and verifies only if the barcode is readable or not ( GOOD or BAD) NO content check will be done in this case.

,GOODBADn = Controls the readability of barcodes which have been

transmitted as graphics (i.e. by some labelling programs). Controls only good read or bad read. „n“ is the starting value in millimeters or inches, whatever is set up in your label.

m m

J S l1;0,0,68,70,100 O R I 10,10,0,1,1,GOODBAD0;PICT1 A 1

In this example, the scanner reads the previously downloaded graphical barcode and does a good read or bad read check.

+VERIFYn, +GOODBADn and ,GOODBADn are available for all barcodes, this will not be mentioned explicit in the decription of each single barcode on the following pages.

+CCn = defines the height of a composite line in module width.

Default value is 2 and the maximum value is 99.

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100

B - Barcode Definition - overview

size = Standard Codesize. Defines the height and width of the bars in a

barcode. Height and narrow element is defined for ratio oriented barcodes. For EAN, JAN or UPC it is also possible to define the standard code size which is expressed through „SCx“. The height calculation includes the human readable characters if enabled. Unified barcode sizes of EAN and UPCbarcodes. Sets the size of the barcode to a defined standard code size. x is a numeric value (0-9) and the possible barcode size depends on the printer´s resolution. Used instead of height and ne (narrow element)

height = Defines the barcode height in the pre selected measurement -

millimeters or inches. A-series printers will print a grey rastered field if the barcode does not fit including the white space area on the label.

ne = narrow element Defines the width of the smallest element of

the barcode. The input is in millimeters or inches. The narrow element (ne) size depends on the printer´s resolution. One dot is the smallest possible element - therefor it depends on the printhead resolution-how big or how small the thinnest line can be printed. (it is not possible to print a „half“ dot )

ratio = The ratio between narrow and wide bars. (i.e. 3:1 means that

the widebar is three times the width of the small bar)

text = contains the barcode data to be encoded in a barcode.

Depending on the selected barcode type. Different rules are used for different barcodes. Some barcodes allow only characters, some others have a fixed length etc. More information can be found at the samples of each barcode.

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CAB A+ Series, Mach 4, PX, XD4 Programming Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual