Datamax E-Class Mark II, E-Class Mark III, A-Class, A-Class Mark II, MP Compact4 Mark II Programmer's Manual

Class Series II

Programmer’s Manual

Covers the following models:

E-Class Mark II / E-Class Mark III

A-Class / A-Class Mark II

MP Compact4 Mark II

M-Class Mark II

H-Class

I-Class

Ex2

CG Times (based upon Times New Roman), CG Triumvirate, MicroType, and TrueType are
trademarks of the AGFA Monotype Corporation.
PCL, Intellifont, and HP Laser JetII are trademarks of the Hewlett Packard Corporation.
Macintosh is a trademark of the Apple Corporation.
Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
All other brand and product names are trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks,
or registered service marks of their respective companies.

Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Datamax-O’Neil Corporation. No part of this manual may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, for any purpose other than the
purchaser’s personal use, without the expressed written permission of Datamax-O’Neil
Corporation.

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2010, Datamax-O’Neil

Part Number 88-2341-01

Revision J

Contents

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

Who Should Use this Manual ............................................................................... 1

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

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

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

Important Safety Instructions ................................................................................ 3

Special Instructions .............................................................................................. 4

Typical Data Flow Sequence................................................................................ 4

2 Control Code Command Functions...........................................................9

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

Attention-Getters .................................................................................................. 9

Alternate Control Code Modes ........................................................................... 10

3 Immediate Command Functions............................................................11

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

SOH # Reset ................................................................................................... 11

SOH * Reset ................................................................................................... 11

SOH A Send ASCII Status String..................................................................... 12

SOH a Send ASCII Extended Status String .................................................... 12

SOH B Toggle Pause....................................................................................... 13

SOH C Stop/Cancel ......................................................................................... 14

SOH D SOH Shutdown.................................................................................... 14

SOH E Send Batch Remaining Quantity.......................................................... 14

SOH e Send Batch Printed Quantity................................................................ 15

SOH F Send Status Byte ................................................................................. 15

i

4 System-Level Command Functions........................................................17

Introduction .......................................................................................... 17

STX A Set Time and Date............................................................................... 17

STX a Enable Feedback Characters .............................................................. 18

STX B Get Printer Time and Date Information ................................................ 18

STX c Set Continuous Paper Length.............................................................. 19

STX E Set Quantity for Stored Label............................................................... 19

STX e Select Edge Sensor ............................................................................. 20

STX F Form Feed ........................................................................................... 20

STX f Set Form Stop Position (Backfeed)...................................................... 20

STX G Print Last Label Format........................................................................ 21

STX I Input Image Data ................................................................................. 21

STX i Scalable Font Downloading ................................................................. 22

STX J Set Pause for Each Label .................................................................... 23

STX K Extended System-Level Commands.................................................... 23

STX k Test RS-232 Port ................................................................................. 23

STX L Enter Label Formatting Command Mode ............................................. 23

STX M Set Maximum Label Length ................................................................. 24

STX m Set Printer to Metric Mode ................................................................... 24

STX n Set Printer to Imperial Mode ................................................................ 24

STX O Set Start of Print Position..................................................................... 25

STX o Cycle Cutter ......................................................................................... 26

STX P Set Hex Dump Mode ........................................................................... 26

STX p Controlled Pause ................................................................................. 26

STX Q Clear All Modules................................................................................. 27

STX q Clear Module ....................................................................................... 27

STX R Ribbon Saver Control .......................................................................... 27

STX r Select Reflective Sensor...................................................................... 28

STX S Set Feed Speed................................................................................... 28

STX T Print Quality Label ............................................................................... 28

STX t Test DRAM Memory Module................................................................ 29

STX U Label Format String Replacement Field............................................... 29

STX V Software Switch Settings ..................................................................... 31

STX v Request Firmware Version .................................................................. 32

STX W Request Memory Module Information.................................................. 32

ii

STX w Test Flash Memory Module ................................................................. 33

STX X Set Default Module .............................................................................. 33

STX x Delete File from Module....................................................................... 34

STX Y Output Sensor Values.......................................................................... 35

STX y Select Font Symbol Set ....................................................................... 35

STX Z Print Configuration Label ..................................................................... 36

STX z Pack Module ........................................................................................ 36

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

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

STX K Memory Configuration ......................................................................... 37

STX K}E Empty Sensor Calibration .................................................................... 38

STX K}M Manual Media Calibration ................................................................... 39

STX K}Q Quick Media Calibration ...................................................................... 39

STX KaR Read Data from RFID Tag.................................................................. 40

STX KaW Write Data to RFID Tag ..................................................................... 41

STX Kb Backfeed Time Delay........................................................................... 41

STX KC Get Configuration................................................................................. 42

STX Kc Configuration Set ................................................................................. 43

STX KD Database Configuration ..................................................................... 102

STX Kd Set File as Factory Default................................................................. 103

STX KE Character Encoding........................................................................... 103

STX KF Select Factory Defaults...................................................................... 105

STX Kf Set Present Distance ......................................................................... 105

STX KH Dot Check.......................................................................................... 106

STX KJ Assign Communication Port (MCL).................................................... 107

STX KI GPIO Input......................................................................................... 108

STX Kn NIC Reset .......................................................................................... 108

STX KO GPIO Output ...................................................................................... 109

STX Kp Module Protection.............................................................................. 110

STX KQ Query Memory Configuration ........................................................... 111

STX Kq Query Memory Configuration............................................................. 113

STX KR Reset Memory Configuration ............................................................. 114

STX Kr Resettable Counter Reset.................................................................. 114

STX KS Memory Configuration, Scalable Font Cache .................................... 114

iii

STX KtA Write Application Family Identifier (AFI) to Tag.................................. 115

STX KtD Write Data Storage Format Identifier (DSFID) to Tag ........................ 115

STX KtE Write Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) Bit................................... 116

STX KtH Read and Feedback Tag Information to Host .................................... 116

STX KtR Read Data from RFID Tag................................................................. 117

STX KtW Write Data to RFID Tag .................................................................... 119

STX KuB Read Data from Gen2 Tag Section................................................... 120

STX KuF Send RFID Device Firmware Version ............................................... 120

STX KuJ Write Data to Gen 2 Tag Section ....................................................... 120

STX KuR Read Data from RFID Tag................................................................ 121

STX KuW Write Data to RFID Tag ................................................................... 122

STX KV Verifier Enable/Disable ...................................................................... 122

STX KW Memory Configuration, Printable Label Width.................................... 122

STX Kx Delete Configuration File ................................................................... 123

STX KZ Immediately Set Parameter ............................................................... 123

6 Label Formatting Command Functions ................................................ 125

Introduction .........................................................................................125

: Set Cut by Amount............................................................................. 125

A Set Format Attribute........................................................................... 126

B Bar Code Magnification...................................................................... 127

C Set Column Offset Amount ................................................................ 127

c Set Cut by Amount............................................................................. 128

D Set Dot Size Width and Height .......................................................... 128

E Terminate Label Formatting Mode and Print Label............................ 129

e Recall Printer Configuration ............................................................... 129

F Advanced Format Attributes .............................................................. 129

f Set Present Speed............................................................................. 130

G Place Data in Global Register............................................................ 130

H Enter Heat Setting ............................................................................. 131

J Justification ........................................................................................ 131

M Select Mirror Mode ............................................................................ 132

m Set Metric Mode................................................................................. 132

n Set Inch (Imperial) Mode.................................................................... 132

P Set Print Speed.................................................................................. 133

iv

p Set Backfeed Speed .......................................................................... 133

Q Set Quantity of Labels to Print ........................................................... 134

R Set Row Offset Amount ..................................................................... 134

r Recall Stored Label Format ............................................................... 135

S Set Feed Speed................................................................................. 136

s Store Label Format in Module............................................................ 136

T Set Field Data Line Terminator .......................................................... 137

U Mark Previous Field as a String Replacement Field .......................... 137

X Terminate Label Formatting Mode..................................................... 138

y Select Font Symbol Set ..................................................................... 138

z Zero (Ø) Conversion to “0”................................................................. 139

+ (>)(() Make Last Field Entered Increment ................................................. 139

– (<)()) Make Last Field Entered Decrement ............................................... 140

^ Set Count by Amount......................................................................... 141

Special Label Formatting Command Functions ...........................................142

STX S Recall Global Data and Place in Field ............................................... 142

STX T Print Time and Date........................................................................... 142

7 Font Loading Command Functions....................................................... 145

Introduction .........................................................................................145

*c###D Assign Font ID Number ..................................................................... 145

)s###W Font Descriptor .................................................................................. 146

*c###E Character Code ................................................................................. 146

(s#W Character Download Data ................................................................. 146

8 Generating Label Formats ...................................................................147

Introduction .........................................................................................147

Format Record Commands .............................................................................. 147

Generating Records ......................................................................................... 148

The Structure of a Record ................................................................................ 148

Record Structure Types.................................................................................... 152

Advanced Format Attributes ............................................................................. 161

v

Appendix A.............................................................................................. 165

ASCII Control Chart...............................................................................165

Appendix B.............................................................................................. 167

Sample Programs..................................................................................167

Appendix C..............................................................................................177

Available Fonts – Sizes, References, and Samples......................................177

Appendix D .............................................................................................183

Reset Codes .........................................................................................183

Appendix E.............................................................................................. 185

Single Byte Symbol Sets ........................................................................185

Appendix F..............................................................................................197

Bar Code Summary Data........................................................................197

Bar Code Default Widths and Heights .......................................................200

Appendix G..............................................................................................203

Bar Code Details ...................................................................................203

Appendix H .............................................................................................249

Single and Double Byte Character Font Mapping ........................................249

vi

Appendix I .............................................................................................. 251

Symbol Sets and Character Maps ............................................................251

Double-Byte Symbols, Chinese, Kanji, and Korean .....................................254

Appendix J ..............................................................................................255

General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) Port Applications ..............................255

Appendix K.............................................................................................. 269

Maximum Field & Character Values ..........................................................269

Print Resolutions and Maximum Width & Record Column Values...................270

Column, Present, & Row Adjust Fine Tune Range .......................................271

Memory Module Identifiers and Allocations................................................272

Appendix L..............................................................................................273

Speed Ranges.......................................................................................273

Appendix M .............................................................................................275

Commands by Function..........................................................................275

Appendix N .............................................................................................277

Image Loading......................................................................................277

Appendix O .............................................................................................279

UPC-A and EAN-13: Variable Price/Weight Bar Codes .................................279

Appendix P..............................................................................................281

International Language Print Capability (ILPC) Programming Examples .........281

vii

Appendix Q .............................................................................................291

Plug and Play IDs ..................................................................................291

Appendix R.............................................................................................. 293

Line Mode ............................................................................................293

Appendix S..............................................................................................297

RFID Overview......................................................................................297

Appendix T.............................................................................................. 303

WiFi Region Country Codes.....................................................................303

Appendix U .............................................................................................309

Graphics Display Icon Key ......................................................................309

Control Panel Button Sequences ..............................................................310

Appendix V.............................................................................................. 313

Bar Code Symbology Information Resources .............................................313

Glossary.................................................................................................. 315

viii

1

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-O’Neil 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, or above, the
listed firmware version below:

Model distinctions, including configurations (i.e., Display or Non-Display) and equipment
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.

Overview

Printer Firmware Version

A-Class 11.08
A-Class Mark II 12.07
E-Class Mark II 12.01

E-Class Mark III 14.07

EX2 11.08

H-Class 12.071

I-Class 11.08

M-Class Mark II 12.071

MP Compact4 Mark II 14.02



version; and then, if necessary, upgrade that firmware. Upgrades are available at

http://www.datamax-oneil.com.

See the <STX>KC command for information regarding attainment of the printer’s firmware

•

• Programming information for Class Series printers (or firmware versions for Class Series

printers) not found in this manual can be found in the Class Series Programmer’s Manual
(part number 88-2316-01), except the S-Class printer and the legacy model printers which
can be found in the DPL Programmer’s Manual (part number 88-2051-01); and, for the E-
3202 see the E-3202 Programmer’s Manual (part number 88-2257-01). All manuals can be
downloaded from our web site at http://www.datamax-oneil.com

• References to “Menu Settings” refer either to the set-up menu or to the system menu of

the printer; consult to the appropriate Operator’s Manual for details.

• Where applicable, printer responses to a host device will depend upon the communication

port, port settings, and cabling.

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 1

.

Overview

This manual contains the following sections 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 9

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 11

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

printer control commands.

 SYSTEM-LEVEL COMMAND FUNCTIONS on page 17

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 125

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 145

Description of commands, listed alphabetically, used when downloading font data

in PCL-4 compatible bitmaps.

 GENERATING LABEL FORMATS on page 147

Description of the structure of records, the different types, and their use in

generating label formats.

 APPENDICES on pages 165 – 313

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 315

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

2 Class Series 2 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 section.

 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.)

Important Safety Instructions

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important operating and maintenance instructions.

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 3

Overview

Special Instructions

The green check box is intended to alert the user to conventions used within this



text or to notable operating details of the printer.

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

“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

Optional,
bidirectional
communication
required for these
commands.

See <STX>Kc to
reduce configuration
commands
transferred

RAM (temporary) or
Flash (semi­permanent)
memory.

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

E

4 Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual

Label Terminate record

Printer Commands Description Notes

<SOH>A

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

Overview

Status command

Reprint with New Data
Records

Optional,
bidirectional
communication
required for these
commands.

Used for fast
reprints.

<STX>xImagename<CR>
<STX>zA

Memory cleanup

Typically used for
temporary storage.

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 power­up 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

Name Function

<STX>A

<STX>c

<STX>e

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 5

Set Date and Time Sets Date and Time.

Set Continuous Paper Length

Set Edge Sensor

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

Sets sensing for gap or registration hole
type stock.

Overview

Configuration

Command

<STX>Kf

Set Present Distance

Name Function

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

<STX>Kc

<STX>F

<STX>M

<STX>m

<STX>n

<STX>O

Configuration Set

Send Form Feed

Set Maximum Label Length

Set to Metric Mode

Set to Inch Mode

Set Start of Print Position

Determines default power-up
configuration.

Sets the stop position of the printed
label.

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.

Subsequent measurements interpreted
in inches (most units in/100) label
equivalent command can be used.

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

<STX>S

<STX>V

6 Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual

Set Feed Rate Sets blank label movement speed.

Software Switch

Enables optional hardware, cutter, and
present sensor.

Download Commands

Download
Command

Overview

Name Function

<STX>I

<STX>i

<ESC>

Download Image

Download Scalable Font

Download Bitmapped Font

Downloads Image to selected memory
module.

Downloads Scalable Font to selected
memory module.

Downloads Bitmapped Font to selected
memory module.

Label Header Commands

These commands determine how the label formatting occurs, the 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 Name

A
C
D
H
M
P
P
Q
R
S

Set Format Attribute

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

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 7

Overview

8 Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual

2

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 attention-getter, 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

Table 2-1: Attention Getter Listings

Easy Control Codes

DPL has been enhanced to accept a 3-character SOH and STX sequence. Easy Control Codes
are always enabled, whether in Standard, Alternate, Alternate 2, or Custom Control Code
Mode. Two types of sequences have been created to meet any application’s requirements.
Use these sequences where you normally would use a single SOH or STX character.

Control Character

SOH %01 ^01
STX %02 ^02

3 “%” Character

Table 2-2: Easy Control Code Listings

SOH 1 01
STX 2 02
ESC 27 1B

Sequence

3 “^”Character

Sequence

Command Type

Control
System

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 9

Control Code Command Functions

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

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.

Throughout this manual <SOH>, <STX>, <CR>, <ESC>, and ^ will be used to indicate control



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

Standard Alternate Alternate 2 Custom

[1]

0x5E 0x40 0x40

Table 2-3: Alternate Control Code Listings

User Defined

Command

Type

Control
System

Line Termination

Font Loading

Label Formatting

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|

10 Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual

3

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 Code Command Functions.

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.

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 11

<SOH>*

<XON> R

(The R may come before the <XON>)

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:

Where:

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:

<SOH>A

<SOH>A

abcdefgh<CR>

Possible

Values

-

a
b
c
d
e

f
g
h

Y/N Y = Interpreter busy (imaging) 1

-

Y/N Y = Paper out or fault 2

-

Y/N Y = Ribbon out or fault 3

-

Y/N Y = Printing batch 4

-

Y/N Y = Busy printing 5

-

Y/N Y = Printer paused 6

-

Y/N Y = Label presented 7

-

Y/N Y = (Internal) Rewinder out or fault 8

Table 3-1: ASCII Status Bytes

<SOH>a

<SOH>a

abcdefgh:ijklmnop<CR>

Interpretation

Transmit

Sequence

12 Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual

Immediate Command Functions

Where:

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.)

Syntax:

Sample:

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

Possible

Values

a
b
c
d
e

f
g
h

i

j
k

l

m

n
o

p

q

r
s

t
u
v
w
x

-

Y/N Y = Interpreter busy (imaging) 1

-

Y/N Y = Paper out or fault 2

-

Y/N Y = Ribbon out or fault 3

-

Y/N Y = Printing batch 4

-

Y/N Y = Busy printing 5

-

Y/N Y = Printer paused 6

-

Y/N Y = Label presented 7

-

Y/N Y = Rewinder out or fault 8

-

: : = Always : 9

-

Y/N Y = Cutter Fault 10

-

Y/N Y = Paper Out 11

-

Y/N Y = Ribbon Saver Fault 12

-

Y/N Y = Print Head Up 13

-

Y/N Y = Top of Form Fault 14

-

Y/N Y = Ribbon Low 15

-

Y/N Y = N (reserved for future) 16

-

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

-

: : = Always : 18

-

Y/N Y = Ready (no data or signal) 19

-

Y/N Y = Waitng for Signal 20

-

Y/N Y = Waitng for Data 21

-

Y/N Y = Com1 has data not parsed 22

-

Y/N Y = N (reserved for future) 23

-

Y/N Y = N (reserved for future) 24

-

Y/N Y = N (reserved for future) 25

-

Y/N Y = N (reserved for future) 26

<CR> 27

Interpretation

Table 3-1: ASCII Status Bytes

<SOH>B

<SOH>B

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.

• 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, then
resume operation from the point of interruption. (If the Receive
Buffer is not full, an <XON> character will be transmitted from
the printer.)

Transmit

Sequence

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 13

Immediate Command Functions

SOH C Stop/Cancel

This command performs the same function as pressing the STOP/CANCEL Key (i.e., it
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:

Printer Response: The print buffer is cleared and the Paused/Stop Indicator is

SOH D SOH Shutdown

This command is ignored by the printer.

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>C

<SOH>C

illuminated (and/or PAUSED is displayed on the LCD or graphics
display) as operations are suspended, 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. (If the Receive Buffer is not full, an <XON> character
will be transmitted from the printer.)

<SOH>E

nnnn<CR>

nnnn -

Are four decimal digits, 0-9999.

14 Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual

Immediate Command Functions

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 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:

Response format:

Where:

<SOH>e

nnnn<CR>

nnnn -

Are four decimal digits, 0-9999.

<SOH>F

X<CR>

“X” is 0 through 0xef with bits as indicated in the “Condition”
column below:

Bit* Value Condition

8 1 or 0 (Internal) Rewinder out or fault
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)

*

One is the least significant bit.

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 15

Immediate Command Functions

16 Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual

4

System-Level Command Functions

Introduction

The most commonly used commands are the System-Level Commands. These are used to
load and store graphics information, in addition to printer control. System-Level Commands
are used to override default parameter values (fixed and selectable) and may be used
before or after Immediate Commands but cannot be issued among Label Formatting
Commands. System-Level Commands consist of:

1. Attention-Getter, 0x02 or 0x7E; see Control Code Command Functions.

2. Command Character

3. Parameters (if any).

STX A Set Time and Date

This command sets the time and date. The initial setting of the date will be stored in the
printer’s internal inch counter. This date can be verified by printing a Configuration
Label.

Syntax:

Where:

Sample:

Printed response:

<STX>AwmmddyyyyhhMMjjj

w
mm
dd

yyyy

hh
MM

jjj

<STX>A1020319960855034

Mon. Feb 3, 1996, 8:55AM, 034

1 digit for day of week; 1 = Monday; 7 = Sunday
2 digits for month
2 digits for day
4 digits for year
2 digits for hour in 24 hour format
2 digits for minutes
3 digits for Julian date / constant; see notes below.

When set to 000, the Julian date is automatically calculated; otherwise, the Julian

•



date will print as entered, without daily increments. If factory defaults are restored
the actual Julian date will also be restored.

• Printers without the Real Time Clock option lose the set time/date when power is

removed.

• Response format is variable; see the Special Label Formatting Command <STX>T.

Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual 17

System-Level Command Functions

STX a Enable Feedback Characters

This command enables the feedback ASCII hex characters to be returned from the
printer following specific events after each completed batch of labels when using serial
communications. The default value is ”OFF”.

Syntax:

Printer response: Event dependent. (Also see Appendix D for error codes.)

Where:

STX B Get Printer Time and Date Information

This command instructs the printer to retrieve its internal time and date information.

Syntax:

Sample:

Response format:

Where:

Response sample:

<STX>a

Event Return Characters

Invalid character

Label printed

End of batch

<STX>B

<STX>B

wmmddyyyyhhMMjjj<CR>

w
mm
dd

yyyy

hh
MM

jjj

* See <STX>A for details and restrictions.

1 digit for day of week; 1 = Monday
2 digits for month
2 digits for day
4 digits for year
2 digits for hour in 24 hour format
2 digits for minutes
3 digits for Julian date / constant*

1020319960855034<CR>

0x07 ( BEL )

0x1E ( RS )
0x1F ( US )

18 Class Series 2 Programmer’s Manual