Datamax E-3202, E-4203, A-4606, A-6212, E-4204 Programmer's Manual

Class Series

Programmer’s Manual

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© 2007 by Datamax Corporation

Part Number: 88-2316-01

Revision H

Contents

Overview ........................................................................................................................1

Who Should Use This Manual .............................................................................. 1

The Scope of this Manual..................................................................................... 1

General Conventions............................................................................................ 3

Computer Entry and Display Conventions............................................................ 3

Typical Dataflow Sequence .................................................................................. 4

Control Code Command Functions............................................................................. 7

Introduction........................................................................................................... 7

Attention-Getters .................................................................................................. 7

Immediate Command Functions.................................................................................. 9

Introduction........................................................................................................... 9

SOH # Reset............................................................................................... 9

SOH * Reset (Display-Equipped Models only) .......................................... 9

SOH A Send ASCII Status String.............................................................. 10

SOH a Send ASCII Extended Status String.............................................. 10

SOH B Toggle Pause................................................................................ 11

SOH C Stop/Cancel .................................................................................. 12

SOH D SOH Shutdown (Non-Display Models only) ................................. 12

SOH E Send Batch Remaining Quantity ................................................... 13

SOH e Send Batch Printed Quantity......................................................... 13

SOH F Send Status Byte .......................................................................... 13

i

System-Level Command Functions........................................................................... 15

Introduction......................................................................................................... 15

STX A Set Time and Date ........................................................................ 15

STX a Enable Feedback Characters........................................................ 16

STX B Get Printer Time and Date Information ......................................... 16

STX c Set Continuous Paper Length ....................................................... 17

STX d Set Double Buffer Mode (Non-Display Models only).................... 17

STX E Set Quantity For Stored Label....................................................... 18

STX e Select Edge Sensor ...................................................................... 18

STX F Form Feed .................................................................................... 18

STX f Set Form Stop Position (Backfeed)............................................... 19

STX G Print Last Label Format................................................................. 19

STX I Input Image Data........................................................................... 20

STX i Scalable Font Downloading .......................................................... 21

STX J Set Pause for Each Label ............................................................. 21

STX K Extended System-Level Commands ............................................. 21

STX k Test RS-232 Port .......................................................................... 22

STX L Enter Label Formatting Command Mode ...................................... 22

STX M Set Maximum Label Length .......................................................... 22

STX m Set Printer to Metric Mode ............................................................ 22

STX n Set Printer to Imperial Mode ......................................................... 23

STX O Set Start of Print Position.............................................................. 23

STX o Cycle Cutter .................................................................................. 24

ii

STX P Set Hex Dump Mode..................................................................... 24

STX p Controlled Pause........................................................................... 24

STX Q Clear All Modules .......................................................................... 24

STX q Clear Module................................................................................. 25

STX R Ribbon Saver On/Off..................................................................... 25

STX r Select Reflective Sensor ............................................................... 26

STX S Set Feed Speed ............................................................................ 26

STX s Set Single Buffer Mode (Non-Display Models only) ..................... 26

STX T Print Quality Label......................................................................... 27

STX t Test DRAM Memory Module......................................................... 27

STX U Label Format String Replacement Field........................................ 28

STX V Software Switch Settings .............................................................. 29

STX v Request Firmware Version............................................................ 30

STX W Request Memory Module Information ........................................... 31

STX w Test Flash Memory Module........................................................... 32

STX X Set Default Module........................................................................ 32

STX x Delete File from Module ................................................................ 33

STX Y Output Sensor Values................................................................... 34

STX y Select Font Symbol Set................................................................. 34

STX Z Print Configuration Label............................................................... 35

STX z Pack Module ................................................................................. 35

iii

Extended System-Level Command Functions ......................................................... 37

Introduction......................................................................................................... 37

STX K Memory Configuration (Non-Display Models only)........................ 37

STX K}E Empty Sensor Calibration (Non-Display Models only)................... 38

STX K}M Manual Media Calibration (Non-Display Models only)................... 38

STX K}Q Quick Media Calibration (Non-Display Models only) ..................... 39

STX KaR Read Data from RFID Tag ............................................................ 39

STX KaW Write Data to RFID Tag (Direct Mode – Generic Read/Write

Interface)....................................................................................... 40

STX Kb Backfeed Time Delay.................................................................... 40

STX KC Get Configuration.......................................................................... 41

STX Kc Configuration Set .......................................................................... 42

STX KD Database Configuration (Non-Display Models only)...................... 90

STX Kd Set File as Factory Default............................................................ 91

STX KE Character Encoding ...................................................................... 91

STX KF Select Factory Defaults (Display-Equipped and EX2 only) .......... 93

STX Kf Set Present Distance .................................................................... 93

STX KJ Assign Communication Port (MCL Command) ............................ 94

STX KI GPIO Input .................................................................................... 94

STX Kn NIC Reset ..................................................................................... 95

STX KO GPIO Output ................................................................................. 95

STX Kp Module Protection ......................................................................... 96

STX KQ Query Memory Configuration ........................................................ 97

iv

STX Kq Query Memory Configuration (Display-Equipped Models only)..... 99

STX KR Reset Memory Configuration ........................................................ 99

STX Kr Resettable Counter Reset........................................................... 100

STX KS Memory Configuration, Scalable Font Cache.............................. 100

STX KtA Write Application Family Identifier (AFI) to Tag (Direct Mode – HF

[13.56 MHz] ISO15693 Tag Interface) ........................................ 100

STX KtD Write Data Storage Format Identifier (DSFID) to Tag (Direct Mode

– HF [13.56 MHz] ISO15693 Tag Interface)................................ 101

STX KtE Write Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) Bit............................ 101

STX KtH Read and Feedback Tag Information to Host ............................. 102

STX KtR Read Data from RFID Tag .......................................................... 102

STX KtU Read Unique Serial Number from RFID Tag............................... 103

STX KtW Write Data to RFID Tag............................................................... 104

STX KuB Read Data from Gen2 Tag Section ............................................. 105

STX KuF Send RFID Device Firmware Version ......................................... 105

STX KuJ Write Data to Gen 2 Tag Section ................................................ 105

STX KuR Read Data from RFID Tag .......................................................... 106

STX KuW Write Data to RFID Tag............................................................... 107

STX KV Verifier Enable/Disable................................................................ 107

STX KW Memory Configuration, Printable Label Width............................. 107

STX Kx Delete Configuration File............................................................. 108

STX KZ Immediately Set Parameter......................................................... 108

v

Label Formatting Command Functions................................................................... 109

Introduction....................................................................................................... 109

: Set Cut By Amount...................................................................... 109

A Set Format Attribute.................................................................... 110

B Bar Code Magnification............................................................... 111

C Set Column Offset Amount ......................................................... 111

c Set Cut By Amount...................................................................... 112

D Set Dot Size Width and Height.................................................... 112

E Terminate Label Formatting Mode and Print Label ..................... 113

e Recall Printer Configuration ........................................................ 113

F Advanced Format Attributes........................................................ 113

f Set Present Speed...................................................................... 114

G Place Data in Global Register ..................................................... 114

H Enter Heat Setting....................................................................... 115

J Justification ................................................................................. 115

M Select Mirror Mode...................................................................... 116

m Set Metric Mode.......................................................................... 116

n Set Inch (Imperial) Mode............................................................. 116

P Set Print Speed........................................................................... 117

p Set Backfeed Speed ................................................................... 117

Q Set Quantity of Labels to Print .................................................... 118

R Set Row Offset Amount............................................................... 118

r Recall Stored Label Format ........................................................ 119

vi

S Set Feed Speed .......................................................................... 119

s Store Label Format in Module..................................................... 120

T Set Field Data Line Terminator ................................................... 120

U Mark Previous Field as a String Replacement Field.................... 121

X Terminate Label Formatting Mode .............................................. 121

y Select Font Symbol Set............................................................... 122

z Zero (Ø) Conversion to “0” .......................................................... 122

+ (>)(() Make Last Field Entered Increment Numeric (Alphanumeric)

(Hexadecimal)............................................................................. 123

– (<)()) Make Last Field Entered Decrement Numeric (Alphanumeric)

(Hexadecimal)............................................................................. 124

^ Set Count By Amount.................................................................. 125

Special Label Formatting Command Functions................................................ 125

STX S Recall Global Data and Place in Field .............................. 126

STX T Print Time and Date ......................................................... 126

Font Loading Command Functions......................................................................... 129

Introduction....................................................................................................... 129

*c###D Assign Font ID Number............................................................... 129

)s###W Font Descriptor............................................................................ 129

*c###E Character Code........................................................................... 130

(s#W Character Download Data........................................................... 130

vii

Generating Label Formats........................................................................................ 131

Introduction....................................................................................................... 131

Format Record Commands .............................................................................. 131

Generating Records ......................................................................................... 132

The Structure of a Record ................................................................................ 132

Record Structure Types.................................................................................... 136

Internal Bit-Mapped Fonts...................................................................... 136

Smooth Font, Font Modules, and Downloaded Bit-Mapped Fonts......... 136

Scalable Fonts ....................................................................................... 137

Bar Codes.............................................................................................. 138

Images................................................................................................... 139

Graphics ................................................................................................ 139

Lines and Boxes.......................................................................... 139

Polygons ..................................................................................... 140

Circles ......................................................................................... 141

Fill Patterns ................................................................................. 141

Advanced Format Attributes........................................................ 143

Appendix A ................................................................................................................ 147

ASCII Control Chart.......................................................................................... 147

Appendix B ................................................................................................................ 149

Sample Programs............................................................................................. 149

VB Application to Send RAW Data via a Windows Printer Driver..................... 154

viii

Appendix C ................................................................................................................ 159

Available Fonts – Sizes, References, and Samples ......................................... 159

Appendix D ................................................................................................................ 165

Reset Codes..................................................................................................... 165

Appendix E ................................................................................................................ 167

Single Byte Symbol Sets .................................................................................. 167

Appendix F................................................................................................................. 177

Bar Code Summary Data ................................................................................. 177

Bar Code Default Widths and Heights .............................................................. 179

Appendix G ................................................................................................................ 181

Bar Code Details .............................................................................................. 181

Appendix H ................................................................................................................ 221

Single and Double Byte Character Font Mapping............................................. 221

Appendix I.................................................................................................................. 223

Symbol Sets and Character Maps.................................................................... 223

Symbol Set Selection ....................................................................................... 223

Double-Byte Symbols, Chinese, Kanji, and Korean.......................................... 225

Appendix J................................................................................................................. 227

General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) Port Applications.................................. 227

M-Class GPIO .................................................................................................. 227

I & W-Class GPIO............................................................................................. 229

Applicator Interface Card (Version 1) ............................................................... 230

Applicator Interface Card (Version 2) ............................................................... 233

ix

Appendix K ................................................................................................................ 239

Resolutions; Field, Row, Column, & Character Values; Module IDs and

Allocations ........................................................................................................ 239

Appendix L................................................................................................................. 243

Speed Ranges.................................................................................................. 243

Appendix M................................................................................................................ 245

Commands by Function.................................................................................... 245

Appendix N ................................................................................................................ 247

Class Series DPL Constraint Cross-Reference ................................................ 247

Appendix O ................................................................................................................ 253

Image Loading.................................................................................................. 253

Appendix P ................................................................................................................ 255

UPC-A and EAN-13: Variable Price/Weight Bar Codes.................................... 255

Appendix Q ................................................................................................................ 257

International Language Print Capability (ILPC) Programming Examples ......... 257

Appendix R ................................................................................................................ 265

Plug and Play IDs............................................................................................. 265

Appendix S ................................................................................................................ 267

Line Mode......................................................................................................... 267

Appendix T................................................................................................................. 271

RFID Overview ................................................................................................. 271

Appendix U ................................................................................................................ 277

WiFi Region Country Codes ............................................................................. 277

x

Appendix V ................................................................................................................ 281

Bar Code Symbology Information Resources................................................... 281

Glossary..................................................................................................................... 283

xi

xii

Overview

Who Should Use This Manual

This manual is intended for programmers who wish to create their own label production software.

The Scope of this Manual

This manual, arranged alphabetically by command, explains Datamax Programming Language (DPL) and
its related uses in the writing, loading and storing of programs for the control and production of label
formats (designs) for the following printers at the listed firmware versions:

Printers (all models, unless where otherwise noted) Applicable Firmware Version*

A-Class 10.065

E-Class** 4.21

EX2 10.065

I-Class*** 8.03M2

H-Class 10.065

M-Class (M-4206, only) 5.08E

M1 & M2 11.00

M-Class (M-4206, only) 5.08E

M-Class 8.03M2

W-Class*** 8.03M2

*Firmware in RFID-equipped printers must be at version 08.043 or greater; see Note 1, below.
**For information regarding the E-3202 printer, see Note 2, below.
***Standard firmware version shown, while option-specific version numbers may differ.

Model distinctions, including configurations (i.e., Display-Equipped or Non-Display Models) and
equipped types (e.g., GPIO-1, graphics display, RFID, etc.), will be indicated in this text to differentiate
command compatibility. The appendices of this manual also contain details that cannot be ignored. The
use of any command will require checking for possible exclusionary conditions.

 Notes: (1) See the <STX>KC command for information regarding attainment of the printer’s firmware version;

and then, if necessary, upgrade that firmware. Upgrades are available at ftp://ftp.datamaxcorp.com/.

(2) Programming information for the S-Class and the Datamax legacy printers (Prodigy, DMX400, etc.)
can be found in the DPL Programmer’s Manual (part number 88-2051-01). Programming information for
the E-3202 can be found in E-3202 Programmer’s Manual (part number 88-2257-01). Both manuals can
be downloaded from our web site at http://www.datamaxcorp.com/.

(3) References to “Menu Settings” refer either to the printer’s internal set-up menu, or to the printer’s
menu driven display system; please consult to the appropriate printer Operator’s Manual for details.

(4) For backward compatibility purposes, the Class Series printers covered in this manual will ignore
commands that are no longer processed; Appendix N lists these commands.

(5) When updating firmware for E-Class version 4.10 and higher the printer must be in DPL Mode, not
LINE mode, prior to sending the *.dlf file. See Appendix S for details.

(6) Where applicable, printer responses to a host device will depend upon the communication port, port
settings, and cabling.

Class Series Programmer’s Manual 1

Overview

This manual contains the following chapters and appendices:

 OVERVIEW on page 1

Contents, organization, and conventions used in this manual; also includes a typical data flow
sequence for the printer.

 CONTROL CODE COMMAND FUNCTIONS on page 7

Description of the attention-getter characters necessary for the printer to receive a command
sequence, and available alternate characters and line terminators.

 IMMEDIATE COMMAND FUNCTIONS on page 9

Description of the commands, listed alphabetically, that perform status queries and printer control
commands.

 SYSTEM-LEVEL COMMAND FUNCTIONS on page 15

Description of the commands, listed alphabetically, that control the printer and allow scalable font
and image downloads.

 EXTENDED SYSTEM-LEVEL COMMAND FUNCTIONS on page 37

Description of the commands (listed alphabetically) that control the printer.

 LABEL FORMATTING COMMAND FUNCTIONS on page 109

Description of commands, listed alphabetically, that control the position of text and images on the
media, print or store, and end the formatting process.

 FONT LOADING COMMAND FUNCTIONS on page 129

Description of commands, listed alphabetically, used when downloading font data in PCL-4
compatible bit-maps.

 GENERATING LABEL FORMATS on page 131

Description of the structure of records, the different types, and their use in generating label formats.

 APPENDICES A THROUGH V on pages 147 through 281

These contain details that cannot be ignored including various tables, programming examples,
printer default values, and bar code symbology details. See the Table of Contents for specific
content information.

 GLOSSARY on page 283

Definitions of words, abbreviations, and acronyms used in this manual.

2 Class Series Programmer’s Manual

Overview

General Conventions

These are some of the conventions followed in this manual:

 On the header of each page, the name of the chapter.

 On the footer of each page, the page number and the title of the manual.

 Names of other manuals referenced are in Italics.

 Notes are added to bring your attention to important considerations, tips or helpful suggestions.

 Boldface is also used to bring your attention to important information.

 This manual refers to IBM-PC based keyboard command characters for access to the ASCII

character set. Systems based on different formats (e.g., Apple’s Macintosh) should use the
appropriate keyboard command to access the desired ASCII character. See Appendix A for the
ASCII character set.

Computer Entry and Display Conventions

Command syntax and samples are formatted as follows:

 The Courier font in boldface indicates the DPL command syntax, and Italics are used to indicate

the command syntax parameters.

 Regular Courier font indicates sample commands, files and printer responses.

 Square brackets ([ ]) indicate that the item is optional.

 <CR> is used to identify the line termination character. Other strings placed between < > in this

manual represent the character of the same ASCII name, and are single-byte hexadecimal values
(e.g., <STX>, <CR>, and <0x0D> equal 02, 0D, and 0D, respectively).

 Hexadecimal values are often displayed in ‘C’ programming language conventions (e.g., 0x02 =

02 hex, 0x41 = 41 hex, etc.)

Class Series Programmer’s Manual 3

Overview

Typical Data Flow Sequence

The typical data flow sequence is summarized in the following bullets and detailed in the table below.
Printer Commands data is transmitted to the printer as shown in the table from left to right, top to bottom.

 Status commands

 Configuration commands

 Download commands

 Label format

 Status commands

 Label reprint commands

 Memory cleanup

Printer Commands Description Notes

<SOH>A

<STX>WG

<STX>O220
<STX>n
<STX>V0

<SOH>D
<STX>IApImagename<CR>image data...data
<CR>

<STX>L
D11

131100000500050Typical text field 01

Q0001
E

<SOH>A

<STX>U01new data for field 01
<STX>E0005
<STX>G

“Status” commands: Get
Status, Request Memory
Module Storage
Information…

“Configuration”
commands, download
image…

“Download” commands,
image, fonts…

Begin label

Label Header record

Label Formatting Data
record –
Object type, orientation,
position, data

Label Quantity

Label Terminate record

Status command

Reprint with New Data
Records

Optional, bi-directional
communication required
for these commands.

See <STX>Kc to reduce
configuration commands
transferred

RAM (temporary) or
Flash (semi-permanent)
memory

Existing label formats
may be recalled. Label
header records are not
required

Optional, bi-directional
communication required
for these commands.

Used for fast re-prints

<STX>xImagename<CR>
<STX>zA

4 Class Series Programmer’s Manual

Memory cleanup

Typically used for
temporary storage

Overview

Commands are available for retrieving stored label formats, updating data, and adding new data. These
techniques are used for increasing throughput. See <STX>G, Label Recall Command ‘r’, and Label Save
Command ‘s’.

Typical commands used in the various stages shown above are listed in the tables that follow.

Configuration Commands

The following table lists some commands useful in controlling printer configuration. These

commands are generally effective only for the current power-up session; toggling power restores the

default configuration. See <STX>Kc for changes to the default power-up configuration. Changing the

default power-up configuration and saving objects in printer Flash memory can reduce the data

transmitted for each label and therefore improve throughput.

Configuration

Command

<STX>A

<STX>d

<STX>c

<STX>e

<STX>Kf

<STX>Kc

<STX>F

<STX>M

<STX>m

Name Function

Set Date and Time Set Date and Time

Set Double Buffer Mode

Set Continuous Paper Length

Set Edge Sensor Setup for gap or registration hole type stock

Set Present Distance

Configuration Set Determines default power-up configuration

Send Form Feed Sets the stop position of the printed label

Set Maximum Label Length

Set to Metric Mode

Force generation of multiple memory copies of label format;
usually not used

Must be 0000 for gap media; not used for reflective media

Determines label stop position, head relative. <STX>f edge
sensor relative equivalent command, older models

Length to search for next gap or reflective mark; not used
with continuous media

Subsequent measurements interpreted in metric (most units
mm/10). Label equivalent command can be used

<STX>n

<STX>O

<STX>S

<STX>V

Class Series Programmer’s Manual 5

Set to Inch Mode

Set Start of Print Position

Set Feed Rate Blank label movement speed

Software Switch Enable optional hardware, cutter, present sensor

Subsequent measurements interpreted in inches, most units
in/100, Label equivalent command can be used

Effect is not on label immediately following command since
media position is at Start of Print between labels; <STX>K
default position relative  64 in/100 maximum deviation

Download Commands

Overview

Download

Command

<STX>I
<STX>i

<ESC>

Download Image Download Image to selected memory module

Download Scalable Font Download Scalable Font to selected memory module

Download Bitmapped Font Download Bitmapped Font to selected memory module

Name Function

Label Header Commands

These commands determine how the label formatting occurs, effect print quality and quantity. They

are typically issued immediately following the <STX>L start of the label format. The Format

Attribute (A) and the Offset (C, R) commands can be changed at any point between format records to

achieve desired effects.

Label Header

Command

A

Set Format Attribute

Name

C
D
H
M
P
P
Q
R
S

Column Offset

Set Width and Dot Size

Set Heat Setting

Set Mirror Mode

Set Print Speed

Set Backup Speed

Set Quantity

Set Row Offset

Set Feed Speed

6 Class Series Programmer’s Manual

Control Code Command Functions

Introduction

The printer requires a special “attention-getter” character in order to receive a command sequence,
informing the printer that it is about to receive a command and the type of command it will be. Control
Commands, System-Level Commands, and Font Loading Commands have their own unique attention­getter, followed by a command character that directs printer action.

Attention-Getters

The attention-getters (e.g., “SOH”) are standard ASCII control labels that represent a one character control
code (i.e., ^A or Ctrl A). Appendix A contains the entire ASCII Control Code Chart.

Attention-Getter ASCII Character Decimal Value HEX Value

Immediate Commands
System-Level Commands
Font Loading Commands

SOH 1 01
STX 2 02
ESC 27 1B

Table 2-1: Control Code Listings

Alternate Control Code Modes

For systems unable to transmit certain control codes, Alternate Control Code Modes are available.
Configuring the printer to operate in an Alternate Control Code Mode (selected via the Setup Menu, the
<STX>Kc command or, where applicable, the <STX>KD command) requires the substitution of Standard
Control Characters with Alternate Control Characters in what is otherwise a normal data stream.

Control Character Standard Alternate Alternate 2 Custom Command Type

SOH 0x01 0x5E 0x5E
STX 0x02 0x7E 0x7E

CR 0x0D 0x0D 0x7C

ESC 0x1B 0x1B 0x1B

“Count By”

[1]

See Label Formatting Commands, ^ set count by amount.

[1]

0x5E 0x40 0x40

Table 2-2: Alternate Control Code Listings

User Defined Control
User Defined System
User Defined Line Termination
User Defined Font Loading
User Defined Label Formatting

 Note: Throughout this manual <SOH>, <STX>, <CR>, <ESC>, and ^, will be used to indicate the control codes.

The actual values will depend on whether standard or alternate control codes are enabled for the
particular application.

Class Series Programmer’s Manual 7

Control Code Command Functions

Alternate Line Terminator Example

Alternate Control Codes provide for substitution of the line terminator, as well as the control characters
listed above. For example using Alternate 2, the line terminator <CR> (0x0D) is replaced by | (0x7C).
The following is a sample label format data stream for a printer configured for Alternate-2 Control Codes:

~L|1911A10001000101234560|X|~UT01ABCDE|~G|

8 Class Series Programmer’s Manual

Immediate Command Functions

Introduction

When the printer receives an Immediate Command, its current operation will be momentarily interrupted
to respond to the command. Immediate Commands may be issued before or after System-Level
commands; however, they may not be issued among Label Formatting Commands or during font or
image downloading. Immediate Commands consist of:

1. Attention-Getter, 0x01 or 0x5E, see Control Codes.

2. Command Character

SOH # Reset

This command resets the printer. Resetting the printer returns all settings to default and clears both
the communications and printing buffers. The command also clears DRAM memory.

Syntax:

Printer Response: The printer will reset.

<SOH>#

<XON> T (The T may come before the <XON>)

SOH * Reset

(Display-Equipped Models only)

This command forces a soft reset of the microprocessor, resetting the printer, returning all factory
default values, and clearing the communication and print buffers.

Syntax:

Printer Response: The printer will reset.

<SOH>*

<XON> R (The R may come before the <XON>)

Class Series Programmer’s Manual 9

Immediate Command Functions

SOH A Send ASCII Status String

This command allows the host computer to check the current printer status. The printer returns a
string of eight characters, followed by a carriage return. Each character (see below) indicates an
associated condition, either true (Y) or false (N). Byte 1 is transmitted first. See <SOH>F.

Syntax:

Sample:

Printer Response:

<SOH>A

<SOH>A

abcdefgh<CR>

Where:

Possible Values Interpretation Byte Transmit Sequence

a - Y/N Y = Interpreter busy (imaging) 1
b - Y/N Y = Paper out or fault 2
c - Y/N Y = Ribbon out or fault 3
d - Y/N Y = Printing batch 4
e - Y/N Y = Busy printing 5

f - Y/N Y = Printer paused 6
g - Y/N Y = Label presented 7
h - N N = Always No 8

Table 3-1: ASCII Status Bytes

SOH a Send ASCII Extended Status String

This command allows the host computer to check an extended current printer status. The printer
returns a string of seventeen characters, followed by a carriage return. Most characters (see below)
indicate an associated condition, either true (Y) or false (N). Byte 1 is transmitted first. See <SOH>F.

Syntax:

Sample:

Printer Response:

10 Class Series Programmer’s Manual

<SOH>a

<SOH>a

abcdefgh:ijklmnop<CR>

Immediate Command Functions

Where:

Possible Values Interpretation Byte Transmit Sequence

a - Y/N Y = Interpreter busy (imaging) 1
b - Y/N Y = Paper out or fault 2
c - Y/N Y = Ribbon out or fault 3
d - Y/N Y = Printing batch 4
e - Y/N Y = Busy printing 5

f - Y/N Y = Printer paused 6
g - Y/N Y = Label presented 7
h - N N = Always No 8

- : : = Always : 9
i - Y/N Y = Cutter Fault 10
j - Y/N Y = Paper Out 11

k - Y/N Y = Ribbon Saver Fault 12

l - Y/N Y = Print Head Up 13

m - Y/N Y = Top of Form Fault 14

n - Y/N Y = Ribbon Low 15
o - Y/N Y = N (reserved for future) 16

p - Y/N Y = N (reserved for future) 17

Table 3-1: ASCII Status Bytes

SOH B Toggle Pause

This command toggles the printer’s paused state between on and off. (This is the same function
achieved by pressing the PAUSE Key on the printer.)

Syntax:

Sample:

Printer Response: This command will illuminate the Paused/Stop Indicator and/or indicate

<SOH>B

<SOH>B

PAUSED on the LCD or graphics display panel, suspend printing, and wait
until one of the following occurs:

 The <SOH>B command is sent to the printer.
 The PAUSE Key is pressed.

Upon which the printer will turn the Paused/Stop Indicator ‘Off’ and/or
remove PAUSED from the LCD or graphics display panel, then resume
operation from the point of interruption. (If the Receive Buffer is not full,
an <XON> character will be transmitted from the printer.)

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Immediate Command Functions

SOH C Stop/Cancel

This command performs the same function as pressing the STOP/CANCEL Key on the printer. This
function clears the current format from the print buffer, pauses the printer, and illuminates the
Paused/Stop Indicator. (The pause condition is terminated as described under <SOH>B.)

Syntax:

Sample:

<SOH>C

<SOH>C

Printer Response: This command will clear the print buffer, pause the printer, illuminate the

Paused/Stop Indicator and/or indicate PAUSED on the LCD or graphics
display panel, suspend printing, and wait until one of the following occurs:

 The <SOH>B command is sent to the printer; or
 The PAUSE Key is pressed.

Upon which the printer will turn the Paused/Stop Indicator ‘Off’ and/or
remove PAUSED from the LCD or graphics display panel. (If the Receive
Buffer is not full, an <XON> character will be transmitted from the printer.)

SOH D SOH Shutdown

(Non-Display Models only)

This commands the printer to ignore Immediate Commands (^A). The SOH shutdown command is
required before loading images or fonts because some may contain data sequences that could be
interpreted as Immediate Commands. After the SOH shutdown command is sent, Immediate
Commands can be turned back on by sending a valid SOH command three times, separated by a one
second delay between each command, or by manually resetting the printer. It is good practice to

check batch quantities (<SOH>E) to verify that the SOH commands are working.

Syntax:

Sample:

Printer Response:

<SOH>D

<SOH>D

This printer will ignore Immediate Commands (^A) until a valid SOH
command is received three times, separated by a one second delay between
each command; or, until the printer is manually reset.

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Immediate Command Functions

SOH E Send Batch Remaining Quantity

This command causes the printer to return a four-digit number indicating the quantity of labels that
remain to be printed in the current batch, followed by a carriage return. Communications latency may
cause this value to be higher than actual on some printers.

Syntax:

Printer response:

Where:

<SOH>E

nnnn<CR>

nnnn

- Are four decimal digits, 0-9999.

SOH e Send Batch Printed Quantity

This command causes the printer to return a four-digit number indicating the quantity of labels that
have been printed in the current batch, followed by a carriage return. Communications latency may
cause this value to be lower than actual on some printers.

Syntax:

Printer response:

Where:

<SOH>e

nnnn<CR>

nnnn

- Are four decimal digits, 0-9999.

SOH F Send Status Byte

This command instructs the printer to send a single status byte where each bit (1 or 0) represents one
of the printer’s status flags, followed by a carriage return (see below). If an option is unavailable for
the printer, the single bit will always be zero. See <SOH>A.

Syntax:

Printer response format:

<SOH>F

X<CR>

Where ‘X’ is 0 through 0xef with bits as indicated in the ‘Condition’ column below:

[1]

Bit

Value Condition

8 0 Always zero
7 1 or 0 Label presented
6 1 or 0 Printer paused
5 1 or 0 Busy printing
4 1 or 0 Printing batch
3 1 or 0 Ribbon out or Fault
2 1 or 0 Paper out or Fault
1 1 or 0 Command interpreter busy (imaging)

[1]

One is the least significant bit.

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Immediate Command Functions

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