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Cognitive Programming

Language (CPL)

Programmer's Guide

105-008-02 Revision C2 – 3/17/2006

*105-008-02*

Summary of content (292 pages)

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Cognitive Programming Language (CPL) Programmer's Guide 105-008-02 Revision C2 – 3/17/2006 *105-008-02*
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Copyright © 2006, Cognitive. Cognitive™, Cxi™, and Ci™ are trademarks of Cognitive. Microsoft® and Windows™ are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other product and corporate names used in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies, and are used only for explanation and to their owner’s benefit, without intent to infringe. All information in this document is subject to change without notice, and does not represent a commitment on the part of Cognitive.
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Table of Contents Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 Label Format Organization .................................................................. 2 Command Syntax ................................................................................ 2 Important Programming Rules............................................................. 3 Related Publications............................................................................
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PITCH ......................................................................................... 63 QUANTITY .................................................................................. 65 QUERY FIRMWARE REVISION................................................. 66 QUERY PRINTER STATUS........................................................ 67 Status Query Response Messages............................................. 68 ROTATE R90, R180, R270 .........................................................
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Variable Command Rules................................................................ 133 Variable Command List ................................................................... 135 VARIABLE ALLOCATE............................................................. 136 VARIABLE AUTOCUT .............................................................. 137 VARIABLE AUXPOWER........................................................... 138 VARIABLE BACKLIGHT ...........................................................
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PROMPTS ................................................................................ 188 DATASKIP ................................................................................ 189 Using VARIABLE Commands ............................................................. 191 Blazer Compatibility ......................................................................... 192 Setting DT or TT Print Method......................................................... 193 Setting Bar or Gap Index Type ...............
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!RFID TXAFTER ....................................................................... 224 !RFID VOID............................................................................... 225 Ethernet Printer Information ............................................................... 227 Ethernet Interface ............................................................................ 227 Ethernet Link Indicator .............................................................. 227 Ethernet Connector .....................
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Bar Code Information .......................................................................... 253 Uniform Product Code (UPC) .......................................................... 253 I2OF5 AND D2OF5 ......................................................................... 254 CODE39 and CODE39+.................................................................. 254 CODE93 .......................................................................................... 254 EAN, EAN8, and EAN13.................
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Chapter 1 Introduction Bar code printers are programmable devices. Most Cognitive Solutions printers use the same command language, which has become an industry standard. NOTE: Pinnacle printers are an exception. The information in this file is not applicable to Pinnacle. If you are programming a Pinnacle printer, contact our Sales Department and order a copy of the Pinnacle Programmer’s Guide, CSI P/N 10-00-0133.
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I N T R O D U C T I O N Label Format Organization With a few exceptions that are noted in the command descriptions, every label format contains: • A header line, which defines the overall label characteristics. • One or more printer commands. • An END statement, which tells the printer that it has received all required data. Here is a typical label format: ! 0 100 190 3 PITCH 100 BARCODE UPCA+ 20 75 70 19112610203 END This label format would print a UPCA bar code on a label.
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I N T R O D U C T I O N Example Sample program code is included here showing proper use of the command. NOTE: The sample code shown does not always include all the lines in the label format that produced the sample label. Header lines, END statements and the like are often omitted to save space. Also, the label images shown only illustrate the features or command under discussion. They are not to scale.
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I N T R O D U C T I O N Related Publications Every printer has a User's Guide, which covers hardware issues like installation, setup, and troubleshooting. We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with your User's Guide before attempting to program the printer. We also recommend the following books for readers desiring more information about bar code technology in general: • The Bar Code Book by Roger C. Palmer (Helmers Publishing, Inc.
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Chapter 2 Printer Command Compatibility All commands, bar codes, and fonts do not work with all printers. Commands are added with the introduction of new printers and new firmware releases. Command usage can also vary, depending on the printer's firmware. The tables following provide some general command compatibility guidelines. Y indicates that the command is supported in the current firmware version for the listed printer.
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P R I N T E R C O M M A N D C A P A T I B I L I T Y Compatibility Tables Use the tables to determine command and functional compatibilities. Table 1. Printer Command Compatibility Table 2. Printer Bar Code Support Table 3. Printer Font Support Table 1. Printer Command Compatibility The following table summarizes commands that are compatible with each printer model.
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P R I N T E R C O M M A N D C A P A T I B I L I T Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y HALT Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Header line CI DEL SOL/LX SOLUS BL42 BD/BT CXI Y CODE RANGER Y ADVANTAGE/LX Background graphics BD/BT PRINTER SUPPORT / NOTES CODE COURIER COMMAND NAME Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y !A automatic header line - - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y INDEX Y Y Y don't use Y Y Y Y Y Y JUSTIFY Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y LOGO mode Y Y Y Y Y Y
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P R I N T E R C O M M A N D C A P A T I B I L I T Y Recall Graphic - - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Graphic Y Y Y Y Y CI DEL SOL/LX SOLUS BL42 BD/BT - CXI - CODE RANGER - ADVANTAGE/LX Store Graphic BD/BT PRINTER SUPPORT / NOTES CODE COURIER COMMAND NAME Y Y Initialize Storage Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y List Stored Objects Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Recall Menu - - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Recall Variable - - - Y Y Y Y Y - Y Standard Hea
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- Y - Y - CXI CI CODE RANGER BL42 BD/BT - C A P A T I B I L I T Y DEL SOL/LX - SOLUS VARIABLE AUTOCUT BD/BT PRINTER SUPPORT / NOTES CODE COURIER COMMAND NAME C O M M A N D ADVANTAGE/LX P R I N T E R Y Y Y Y Y Y VARIABLE BACKLIGHT Y Y VARIABLE BEEPER Y Y Y Y VARIABLE AUXPOWER VARIABLE BUFFER_TIMED_RESET Y Y Y Y - - - Y VARIABLE COMM Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y VARIABLE COMPATIBLE Y Y VARIABLE CONTRAST Y Y Y Y VARIABLE ENERGY Y Y VARIABLE ETHERNET FI
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P R I N T E R C A P A T I B I L I T Y VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL TIMEOUT CXI CI CODE RANGER DEL SOL/LX SOLUS ADVANTAGE/LX BL42 BD/BT BD/BT PRINTER SUPPORT / NOTES CODE COURIER COMMAND NAME C O M M A N D Y Y VARIABLE ETHERNET IP Y Y VARIABLE ETHERNET NETMASK Y Y VARIABLE ETHERNET GATEWAY Y Y VARIABLE ETHERNET BOOTP Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET Y Y Y Y VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET COMMUNITY Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y VARIABLE ETHERNET SERVER VARIABLE ETHERNET TXTBFR Y
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P R I N T E R C O M M A N D C A P A T I B I L I T Y - Y Y Y Y Y - - VARIABLE MODE - - Y - Y Y Y Y - - VARIABLE NO_MEDIA - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y VARIABLE NORMAL Y Y Y - Y Y Y CI DEL SOL/LX SOLUS BL42 BD/BT VARIABLE OFF_AFTER CXI - CODE RANGER - ADVANTAGE/LX VARIABLE MEDIA _ADJUST BD/BT PRINTER SUPPORT / NOTES CODE COURIER COMMAND NAME Y Y Y Y - - VARIABLES ON/OFF - Y Y Y Y Y Y - - - VARIABLE PITCH Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y VARIABLE PO
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P R I N T E R C O M M A N D C A P A T I B I L I T Y Table 2. Printer Bar Code Support BAR CODE SYMBOLOGY SUPPORTED IN PRINTERS PW/PT 42 BD/BT 02 BD/BT 04/05 BL42 ADVANTAGE/LX SOLUS DEL SOL/LX CODE RANGER CI CXI The following table summarizes bar codes supported by each printer model.
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SUPPORTED IN PRINTERS BD/BT 04/05 BL42 ADVANTAGE/LX DEL SOL/LX CODE RANGER CI CXI ADD2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ADD5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y CODE16K Y - Y - - - - - - - CODE39 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y CODE93 - - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y CODE128A Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y CODE128B Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y CODE128C Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y CODABAR Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y EAN8 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y SOLUS BAR CODE SYMBOLOGY BD/BT 02 C O
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P R I N T E R C O M M A N D C A P A T I B I L I T Y Table 3. Printer Font Support The following table summarizes the fonts supported by each printer model.
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P R I N T E R STRING 8X8 STRING 9X12 STRING 12X16 STRING 18X23 STRING 24X31 ULTRA_FONT A ULTRA_FONT B ULTRA_FONT C TEXT 0 TEXT 1 TEXT 2 TEXT 3 TEXT 4 TEXT 5 TEXT 6 CODE RANGER DEL SOL/LX SOLUS ADVANTAGE/LX BL42 BD/BT 04/05 BD/BT 02 CXI STRING 5X7 CI STRING 3X5 C A P A T I B I L I T Y SUPPORTED IN PRINTERS PW/PT 42 FONT OR FEATURE C O M M A N D Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
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Chapter 3 Standard Printer Commands This chapter describes standard printer commands. Standard Printer Command List The following is a list of standard printer commands. ADJUST ADJUST_DUP AREA_CLEAR BARCODE BARCODE PDF417 END FILL_BOX GRAPHIC Graphics mode HALT BARCODE UPS BARCODE_FONT Header line INDEX JUSTIFY LOGO mode MULTIPLE NOINDEX COMMENT DEFINE_VAR DELIMIT DOUBLE DRAW_BOX Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S ADJUST Function Increments or decrements a variable value or numeric data on the preceding command line. Explicit Form ADJUST variable nnn Implicit Form A variable nnn Parameters variable The name of the variable to be adjusted, as specified in its DEFINE_VAR command. The variable value is adjusted wherever it is called before the ADJUST command in the label format. This is an optional parameter, and is not supported in all printers.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S ADJUST_DUP Function Used with the ADJUST command to print nonincremented duplicates of incremented labels. Explicit Form ADJUST_DUP nnn Implicit Form AP nnn Parameters n The number of duplicate labels printed for each increment specified with the ADJUST command. NOTE: Only one ADJUST_DUP command is allowed in each label format.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S AREA_CLEAR Function Clears an area of a label for replotting. AREA_CLEAR may be used in a normal label format, or with the !+ header mode to combine ASCII and graphics.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S BARCODE Function Prints a bar code, specifying type, position, height, and characters to be coded. Explicit Form BARCODE[Rnnn] type modifiers x y h characters Implicit Form B[Rnnn] type modifiers x y h characters Parameters [Rnnn] Prints bar codes that are rotated 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees clockwise from horizontal. type Bar code type.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S (n:w) Specifications for the narrow (n) and wide (w) bars. Place these modifiers within parentheses. Allowable range is 1 to 9 for both n and w. For UPC, EAN, ADD2, ADD5, and CODE128 (A, B, and C), n specifies an integral multiplier for the bar code width. For all other codes, this option specifies the width in dots of the narrow and wide bars. The value of w must always be greater than n.
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S T A N D A R D Comments P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Unless modified by a BARCODE_FONT command, all codes except UPCA+, EAN8+, EAN13+, and UPCE use an 8x8 font for bar code subtext. The excepted codes use a 5x7 font, to allow space for extender bars. Bar code subtext begins two dots below the bar code block. All bar codes are positioned independently. This includes ADD2 and ADD5, which are normally used as add-ons for UPC and EAN codes.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Example 2 BARCODE UPCA+ 20 75 70 19112610203 Example 3 BARCODE CODABAR(2:5) 10 30 20 A0123B Example 4 BARCODE CODE16K 10 10 15 ab0123456789 Example 5 ! 0 100 120 1 PITCH 100 BARCODE UPCA+ 10 95 70 04644200395 BARCODE_FONT 8X8(00,-73,1,1,1,1) BARCODE ADD5 120 100 61 34028 STRING 8X8 10 5 ISBN 0-395-34028-4 END Example 6 The following label formats print the same bar code using different dot times and bar width ratios.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S BARCODE_FONT Function Allows selection of the font type, size, and position of the human-readable characters printed below the bar-coded information. Explicit Form BARCODE_FONT type Implicit Form BT type Parameters type Font type. Most printers can use any resident font except Ultra Font C. STRING is the default font type and will work with any printer. If you use a STRING font you only need to specify the font size and modifiers.
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S T A N D A R D vertadj P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Offsets the printed text vertically. Must be two digits; add leading zeros as required. May be positive or negative. Positive values move the subtext down, negative values move it up. NOTE: If you use the horadj or vertadj modifiers, you must specify values for all modifiers as described for the STRING command. See the STRING, TEXT, and ULTRA_FONT commands for other parameter details.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R Example 2 BARCODE_FONT 9x12(00,05,1,1,1,2) BARCODE UPCAX+ 35 50 50 72773740001 Example 3 ! 0 100 95 1 PITCH 100 BARCODE_FONT 8X8(00,-73,1,1,1,1) BARCODE ADD5 20 90 61 34028 END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S BARCODE PDF417 Function Prints a two-dimensional bar code on a label, using the PDF417 symbology. Explicit Form BARCODE PDF417 x y w:h ec% rows:cols bytes T M data Implicit Form BARCODE 7 x y w:h ec% rows:cols bytes T M data Parameters R Optional. Indicates rotated code x y X and Y starting position for bar code block. w Width (x dimension) of the narrowest element (bar or space) in the bar code.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S bytes Number of encoded data bytes, including carriage returns and line feeds. Macro PDF functions are invoked if this value exceeds 3072 (see comments). T Optional; produces a truncated bar code (the right row indicator and stop bar are replaced by a single width bar). M Optional; enables Macro PDF functions (see comments). data Data to be encoded. NOTE: The number of bytes specified must exactly equal the number of bytes in the data that follows.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S I File ID. Enter the desired file identification as a string after the I character. If the I is not followed by a valid string, the printer will select a random file ID. N File name. Enter the desired file name as a string after the N character. B Block count. The B character tells the printer to count the number of PDF417 symbols spanned by the data, and attach this number to the code. P Time stamp.
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S T A N D A R D Example P R I N T E R PITCH 200 BARCODE PDF417 50 10 2 6 1 0 7 309 NAME:JOHN SMITH ADDRESS:116 WILBUR BOHEMIA, NY 11716 PHONE:516-555-4907 PHYSICIAN:DR.HARRY KLINE STONYBROOK MED CTR INSURANCE:AETNA POLICY NO:918-1287345 SPOUSE:JENNIFER SMITH HT:5'9" WT:165 HAIR COLOR:BROWN EYE COLOR:BROWN ALLERGIES:NONE DISABILITIES:NONE BLOOD:A SS#051-98-2374 DOB:5/24/60 END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S BARCODE UPS Function Prints a two-dimensional bar code on a label, using the MaxiCode symbology. Cognitive printers may implement this bar code two ways, as described below. Explicit Form BARCODE UPS x y mod data Implicit Form B PS x y mod data Alternate Explicit Form BARCODE UPS x y mod CrLF data Alternate Implicit Form B PS x y mod CrLF data x y X and Y starting position for bar code block. mod Encoding mode; allowable values are 0 through 6.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S bytes – Number of encoded data bytes in the Low Priority Message. The number of bytes includes all carriage returns and line feeds, and must equal 84. LMdata – Alphanumeric data to be encoded as the Low Priority Message. Uppercase alpha characters only. If the total number of bytes is less than 84, pad the data with the exclamation point character (!) until there are 84 bytes in the message.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Comments MaxiCodes cannot be rotated, and can never have human-readable subtext. Example The following example uses the alternate form, with data coded following the ANSI MH10.8.3 standard. NOTE: This format will not print if copied directly to the printer. The BARCODE UPS command line is broken for Help window readability.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S 841706672Gs840 Postal Code, Country Code Gs001Gs1Z12345675 Class of Service, Tracking Number GsUPSNGs12345EGs089 SCAC, UPS Shipper Number, Julian Day of Pickup GsGs1/1 Place holder for Shipment ID Number, Package n/x Gs10.1GsY Package Weight, Address Validation Gs Place holder for Ship To Street Address Gs Place holder for Ship To City GsUT Ship To State Rs End Of Format Eot End Of Message Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S COMMENT Function This command is used for documenting label formats. Comment lines do not affect label printing. Explicit Form COMMENT characters Implicit Form C characters Parameters characters Comments This command is primarily for internal documentation of label formats, but you can also use it to temporarily disable commands. Placing a C or the word COMMENT before the command will disable it.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S DOUBLE Function Prints "double byte" text characters from a selected font set. Double byte fonts are used for characters that require greater resolution than can be provided in a single byte (specifically, Kanji characters). Explicit Form DOUBLE font(eximage,exspace,xmult,ymult) x y mtid characters Parameters font Specifies the text font.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S DRAW_BOX Function Draws a hollow rectangle on the label. Explicit Form DRAW_BOX x y w h t Implicit Form D x y w h t Parameters x X coordinate of upper left corner of box y Y coordinate of upper left corner of box w Box width, measured in dot columns. Must be greater than zero. h Box height, measured in dot rows. Must be greater than zero. t Optional; specifies line thickness in dots. The default is 1.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S END Function Signals the end of a label format Explicit Form END Implicit Form E Parameters None Comments The END command tells the printer that all data required for the current label format has been sent. When the END command reaches the printer, the label format is processed and printing begins.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S FILL_BOX Function This command inverts every dot in the specified rectangular area. Where the existing field is white, the FILL_BOX command fills it in black, while areas already black are flipped to white. Explicit Form FILL_BOX x y w h Implicit Form F x y w h Parameters x X coordinate of upper left corner of box y Y coordinate of upper left corner of box w Box width, measured in dot columns. Must be greater than zero.
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S T A N D A R D ! 0 100 180 PITCH 200 FILL_BOX 50 FILL_BOX 50 FILL_BOX 25 FILL_BOX 27 END Example 1 44 C O M M A N D S 1 50 50 25 27 750 725 750 750 85 60 85 85 ! 0 100 90 1 PITCH 100 ULTRA_FONT B25 (6,0,0) FILL_BOX 65 1 130 20 ULTRA_FONT B25 (4,2,0) FILL_BOX 65 1 130 30 ULTRA_FONT B25 (6,0,0) FILL_BOX 65 36 130 20 ULTRA_FONT B25 (4,2,0) END Example 2 P R I N T E R 70 5 SHELL 1 71 6 SHELL 1 70 40 SHELL 2 71 40 SHELL 2 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S GRAPHIC Function Initializes the printer to receive graphics data, and positions the received graphic on a label. This ASCII command allows you to send standard PCX or BMP format graphics directly from a file. NOTE: GRAPHIC must be the last command in its label format. Do not follow it with an END command. The printer waits for graphics data and a following printable label file after receiving this command.
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S T A N D A R D Example P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S The following two label formats will print a PCX graphic with its upper left corner at location 416, 14 if the appropriate PCX file is sent to the printer following the first label format. Format 1 ! 0 100 600 0 JUSTIFY RIGHT GRAPHIC PCX 416 14 - (Send the graphics file here. The printer will print after it receives the label format below.) Format 2 !+ 0 100 590 1 END 46 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Graphics mode Function Initializes the printer to receive binary data for printing bitmapped graphics. Unlike most commands, this command is not sent as ASCII text. Send all graphics data, including the header line, to the printer in a continuous binary data stream. Explicit Form mode dottime dotrows numlbls data Parameters mode The graphics command. Use @ for foreground graphics printing, # for background graphics printing.
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S T A N D A R D Comments P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S When programming in graphics mode, you control every dot on the print head separately. All the dots on the finished label can be either dark or light, depending on the setting for each bit in the graphics file. Send all data to the printer in a continuous binary stream. Enough data must reach the printer to control all the dots for the specified number of dot rows over the print width.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S ASCII commands cannot be mixed in the binary graphics file. If you want to print predefined objects (such as bar codes or text) on the same label with binary bitmapped graphics, you have four possible approaches: 1. Program either the graphics or the ASCII components in the background, and put the other components in the foreground. 2.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S HALT Function Pauses the printer after it prints one label. If there are more labels left to print in the current batch, pressing the printer's feed switch will signal the printer to print the next label. The HALT command also activates the label cutter in printers so equipped. Explicit Form HALT Implicit Form H Parameters None Comments This feature is intended for situations that require many similar labels, presented one at a time.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Header line Function Initializes the printer to receive a label format. Explicit Form mode x dottime maxY numlbls Parameters mode Sets the encoding mode for the label format. Valid characters are: ! Standard header line. ASCII mode: The printer treats all incoming data as ASCII commands in this mode. @ Graphics mode: All incoming data is treated as binary graphics. (See Graphics mode for further details.) !# Background header line.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S previous label. (See also AREA_CLEAR command.) !A 52 Automatic header line. Same as !, except remaining header line parameters are not required. The printer sets x to zero, dottime to 100, calculates MaxY, and sets numlbls to zero. MaxY is calculated based on the location of the last plotted row in the image buffer. Use this header line with the QUANTITY command or in stored label formats. This header can be used for labels up to 6 inches long.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S command). The specified dot time is rounded down to the nearest step. NOTE: Dot time values that result in aspect ratios less than 0.8 may cause poor print quality. Dot times under 100 automatically disable high speed printing. Some printers only support dot time 100. Refer to Table 1. Printer Command Compatibility for more information.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S "rough-in" header line values as follows: Use ! for ASCII foreground printing. Use 0 for the X starting position. Use a dot time of 100 for an aspect ratio of 1:1 in linear dot time mode. Determine an approximate maxY value by multiplying the label length (or desired label length, for cutter equipped printers) by the print pitch and then reducing the value by 10%. For dot times other than 100, divide the result by the aspect ratio (dot time divided by 100).
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S INDEX Function Enables automatic label indexing. When printing is finished the printer feeds the label stock until the next label's first dot row is positioned under the printhead burn line (based on the position of the label's indexing cue; i.e., the black bar or gap location). This is the default operating mode. Label indexing remains on unless disabled with a NOINDEX command. IMPORTANT! Do not use this command when using continuous-form media.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S JUSTIFY Function Positions Ultra Font and TEXT printing, PDF417 and MAXICODE bar codes, and GRAPHIC command images either left, right, or center of their horizontal coordinate (X coordinate for non-rotated text and bar codes, Y coordinate for rotated text and bar codes).
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Example 1 JUSTIFY LEFT ULTRA_FONT A40 (5,0,0) 400 10 LEFT JUSTIFY JUSTIFY RIGHT ULTRA_FONT A40 (5,0,0) 400 50 RIGHT JUSTIFY JUSTIFY CENTER ULTRA_FONT A40 (5,0,0) 400 90 CENTER JUSTIFY END Example 2 JUSTIFY LEFT ULTRA_FONT A40 (5,0,90) 150 120 LEFT JUSTIFY RIGHT ULTRA_FONT A40 (5,0,90) 100 120 RIGHT JUSTIFY CENTER ULTRA_FONT A40 (5,0,90) 50 120 CENTER END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S LOGO mode Function Allows placement of bitmapped graphics in specific label areas, or windows. You specify the window sizes and locations individually. Any number of graphics windows is allowed, providing they do not overlap. NOTE: Unlike most commands, you cannot enter the logo mode command in ASCII form. The printer will only accept it as pure binary data with no extraneous characters.
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S T A N D A R D Comments P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S In background mode, the maximum programmable label size is cut in half. Consider using foreground LOGO mode with the !+ header line when printing combined ASCII and graphics. When sending the x, y, w, and h parameters, send the most significant byte first. Clear memory by sending a dummy label format to the printer before and after using LOGO mode. This keeps residual data from spoiling the finished label.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S MULTIPLE Function Causes the printer to print duplicate labels side-byside. Explicit Form MULTIPLE nnn Implicit Form M nnn Parameters n is the number of duplicate labels to print side-byside. The acceptable range is 2 to 9. The labels printed side-by-side must actually fit in the available space; otherwise they are truncated on the right side. NOTE: Avoid using this command with high speed Barcode Blaster printers.
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S T A N D A R D Example P R I N T E R ! 0 130 70 2 PITCH 100 WIDTH 224 MULTIPLE 2 STRING 8X8 7 0 ADIDAS 4446 STRING 8X8 7 10 JOGGING STRING 8X8 7 20 SHORTS STRING 8X8 37 30 $14.00 BARCODE I2OF5- 17 60 20 3445478940 END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S NOINDEX Function Disables index detection. The printer will stop feeding the label after printing the last dot row. With most printers, this command remains in effect until you turn the printer off or issue an INDEX command. Portable printers are an exception: in these printers, NOINDEX shuts off when the printer goes to sleep.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S PITCH Function Sets the print density in dots per inch. Explicit Form PITCH nnn Implicit Form P nnn Parameters nnn is equal to print pitch in dots per inch (DPI). Allowable values depend on the printhead density: PH Density Default Pitch Alternate Pitch 300 300 150 203 200 100 150 150 75 NOTE: The default pitch changes to the lowest available print pitch if Blazer emulation is enabled. See the VARIABLE MODE command for more information.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S See also VARIABLE PITCH Example ! 0 100 90 1 PITCH 200 JUSTIFY CENTER ULTRA_FONT B20 (5,0,0) 400 10 UFONT B20 AT 200 PITCH END ! 0 100 45 1 PITCH 100 JUSTIFY CENTER ULTRA_FONT B20 (5,0,0) 200 10 UFONT B20 AT 100 PITCH END 64 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S QUANTITY Function Sets the quantity of labels to be printed by the label format. Explicit Form QUANTITY numlabels Implicit Form QY numlabels Parameters numlabels is equal to the number of labels printed by the label format. The allowable range is 0 to 65535. Comments Using this command is functionally identical to specifying the number of labels in the header line, but offers the programmer some added flexibility since numlabels can be a variable.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S QUERY FIRMWARE REVISION Function Causes the printer to send firmware revision information to the host computer. The printer sends its firmware part number, revision, revision time, and revision date in response to this command. Such information is useful when developing software that must control several different printers.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S QUERY PRINTER STATUS Function Causes the printer to send a status message to the host computer. The status message indicates the current printer condition, such as ready, printing, low battery, out of paper, and so on. Such information is useful when controlling the printer from a remote site. However, the host computer must be programmed to properly interpret the incoming data. Explicit Form !QS Parameters None Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D Comments P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S This command replaces the normal header line. Follow the command with a line feed (or carriage return and line feed) and an END statement. Do not use any other commands with QUERY STATUS.
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S T A N D A R D R P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Ready. The printer has no pending print tasks, is not charging, and the background buffer is empty. The printer can send many other status messages to the host in response to error conditions, but the printer communications port will go busy in the event of a printer error.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S o (lowercase letter O) Out of ribbon or ribbon stalled. (Only reported by TT printers capable of detecting a stalled ribbon.) The printer sends this message eight times per second if it runs out of ribbon and USER_FEEDBACK is ON. P Printing in process, or printer paused during batch mode processing. S Serial port communications error. U Printhead Up. The printhead is not fully closed. W Waiting.
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S T A N D A R D Example P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S !QS END IMPORTANT! Use this command exactly as shown in the example. Do not use other commands (except the END command) with the QUERY STATUS command. Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S ROTATE R90, R180, R270 Function Prints STRING text on the label, rotated clockwise in three orientations: R90 – Prints text rotated 90 degrees clockwise from horizontal. R180 – Prints text rotated 180 degrees clockwise from horizontal (upside-down). R270 – Prints text rotated 270 degrees clockwise from horizontal.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S STRING Function Prints text (ASCII characters) on a label using CSI fonts. These are non-proportional, non-compressed bitmapped fonts. Explicit Form STRING type(eximage,exspace,xmult, ymult) x y characters Implicit Form S type(eximage,exspace,xmult,ymult) x y characters Parameters type Specifies the basic font size, in dots. There are seven font sizes: 3X5, 5X7, 8X8, 9X12, 12X16, 18X23, and 24X31.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S each time. When using this modifier you must specify values for exspace, xmult, and ymult. The allowable range is 1 to 9. For normal boldness, use a value of 1. Comments exspace Modifies the spacing between characters. Specify values for xmult and ymult when using exspace. The allowable range is 1 to 9. For normal spacing, use a value of 1. xmult Independently expands the width of any font.
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S T A N D A R D Font Type 3X5 5X7 8X8 9X12 12X16 18X23 24X31 P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Cell Size 4X5 6X7 8X8 9X12 13X16 19X23 25X31 When programming label formats, you can calculate the exact amount of space required by text blocks using the cell sizes shown. NOTE: Use of the eximage, exspace, xmultiplier, or ymultiplier string modifiers will change the font cell size. STRING fonts are stored in user-accessible memory in many printers, and are handled as stored objects.
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S T A N D A R D Example 2 P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S ! 0 100 100 1 PITCH 100 STRING 5X7 10 0 LETTERS - 5X7 STRING 8X8 200 0 LETTERS - 8X8 STRING 9X12 10 10 LETTERS - 9X12 STRING 12X16 200 10 LETTERS - 12X16 STRING 18X23 10 28 LETTERS - 18X23 STRING 24X31 10 53 LETTERS - 24X31 END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S TEXT Function Prints text on a label using compressed bitmapped fonts. Explicit Form TEXT fontID(spacing,rotation,xmult,ymult) x y characters Implicit Form T fontID(spacing,rotation,xmult,ymult) x y characters Parameters fontID Specifies the font family and size.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S The following parameters are contained in parentheses and are optional: Comments spacing Sets the spacing between characters. Valid entries are 0 to 255, and set the number of dots between proportionally spaced characters. If a negative sign is placed before the spacing value, the type is spaced nonproportionally and the spacing value will set the character cell width. rotation Clockwise rotation of the printed character string.
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S T A N D A R D Example P R I N T E R JUSTIFY CENTER TEXT 3 410 0 TEXT FONT TEXT 3(0,0,1,1) 410 40 TEXT FONT TEXT 3(10,0,1,1) 410 80 TEXT FONT TEXT 3(20,0,1,1) 410 120 TEXT FONT TEXT 3(0,0,2,1) 410 160 TEXT FONT TEXT 3(0,0,1,2) 410 200 TEXT FONT 80 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S TIME Function Sets or gets data from the real-time clock in printers so equipped. Data derived from the clock resides in the system variable TIME. Explicit Form TIME action Implicit Form TE action Parameters action Clock operation. Allowable operations are SET, GET, and ADD, used as follows: TIME SET Sets the clock to the numeric time value following the command.
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S T A N D A R D TIME ADD TE ADD TIME ? TE ? P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Adds the specified interval to the last time read by TIME GET (that is, to the value currently stored in the variable TIME). The specified time interval must be in the form described under TIME SET, and you must specify all six parameters. Added intervals can be negative or positive. Addition starts at the seconds field, and added values arithmetically carry or borrow when a field over- or underflows.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S %a Abbreviated weekday name (Sun, Mon, Tue) %A Full weekday name (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) %b Month name (Jan, Feb, Mar) %B Full month name (January, February, March) %c Date and time using a two-digit year (mm/dd/yy hh:mm:ss; for example, 09/25/98 15:35:20) %C Date and time using a four-digit year (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss; for example, 09/25/1998 15:35:20) %d Two digit day of month (1-31) %H Two digit hour, 24 hour clock (0 - 23) %I Two digit ho
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S example, 05/21/98) %X Time (hh:mm:ss; for example, 21:45:30) %y Two-digit year without century (00 to 99) %Y Year with century You can use multiple formatting characters and mix printable characters with the formatting characters, to present the time or date in unusual ways.
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S T A N D A R D Example 3 P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S The following command line will print the current date as stored in the TIME variable, in the form mm/dd/yy: TEXT 2 20 100 The date is: ~TIME %m/%d/%y~ Example 4 The following command line … FUNCID=TIMEQUERYID=69 NOBUFFER ImpTimeQuery Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Universal Clear Function Resets the printer to its initial power on state, effectively the same as cycling printer power. Explicit Form (ASCII) 23 23 23 23 23 67 76 69 65 82 23 23 23 23 23 Parameters None Comments Unlike other commands, you cannot send the Universal Clear command to the printer as a printable ASCII string of letters and/or numbers. Most computer keyboards do not have a character corresponding to ASCII 23.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S ULTRA_FONT Function Prints text on a label, using Ultra Fonts (stroke fonts). Unlike STRING fonts, Ultra Fonts maintain their shape in any size and boldness. Font modifiers can change character bolding, spacing, and rotation. Font type C may also be italicized and "grayed." Explicit Form ULTRA_FONT Tnnn IGz(bold,space,rot) x y char Implicit Form U Tnnn IGz(bold,space,rot) x y char Parameters T Font type, A, B, or C.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S x y Starting position of the printed character string. The reference point on the text block varies with character rotation. For 0 and 270 degree rotation, the X and Y starting position of the text block is in the upper left corner of the block. For 90 and 180 degree rotation, the X and Y starting position of the string is in the lower left corner of the text block. char ASCII characters to be printed.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S space Number of dots between each printed character. Valid entries are 0 to 255 and N, with a default of 1. N sets nonproportional character spacing; that is, each character has the same width. Font type C does not support nonproportional spacing. rot Clockwise rotation of the printed characters. Valid entries are 0, 90, 180, and 270. The default is 0.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S Wake-up string Function Switches the printer from idle to active mode in preparation for incoming data. Explicit Form CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC C Parameters None Comments The 4.25" portable printers use an energy-saving "sleep mode" to save battery power during periods of inactivity. These printers won't accept data when they are asleep. Code Courier printers go to sleep immediately after finishing the current task.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S does not adversely affect the behavior of printers that do not require one. You may want to send a wake-up string to every printer prior to sending your label formats, to help assure compatibility with all printers. See also Header line Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S WIDTH Function Sets the width of the printed label. Typically, this command is for printing on label stock that is narrower than the printhead. Explicit Form WIDTH nnn Parameters W nnn Comments Since data is handled in whole words, any value specified for the WIDTH results in an actual print width that can be expressed in 16 bits. The printer will round up any width value to the nearest whole word.
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S T A N D A R D P R I N T E R C O M M A N D S NOTE: The WIDTH command is necessary with the Del Sol to correctly position the printing image. The WIDTH command line must precede any command that maps label components on the printer's memory grid, such as STRING or BARCODE. High speed Barcode Blasters automatically disable high speed printing when they encounter this command in a label format.
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Chapter 4 Storing Data in the Printer Memory Commands discussed in this section allow you to store label formats and graphics in the printer's memory for later use. Internal data storage can help improve label throughput and may also simplify programming in some applications. NOTE: Internal data storage capability is an optional feature. Not all printers accept these commands, and due to hardware limitations, some printers that accept the commands may not successfully store data.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y However, you may want to use volatile RAM to store variables or objects that will change frequently. • When using volatile RAM for object storage, you must allocate space for that purpose. Refer to the VARIABLE ALLOCATE command for more information. • You must assign an alphanumeric identifier to every stored object. The identifier can be from one to eight characters long, using any combination of letters and numbers (no punctuation).
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Delete Stored Object Function Deletes a stored object from memory. NOTE: This command replaces the normal header line. Do not use any other commands, including the END command, with this command. Explicit Form !D identifier Parameters identifier Stored object identifier assigned when the object was first stored.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Format Recall Function Recalls a stored format from memory, merges any incoming variable data with the stored data, and prints labels as required. NOTE: This command replaces the normal header line. Do not use any other commands, including the END command, with this command. Explicit Form !R t identifier x 100 maxY numlabels Parameters t Data types. Use F for standard ASCII format files and E for enhanced format files.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Format Store Function Stores a label format in a specified memory area. The stored format can be recalled and printed with the Format Recall command. There are two general types of stored formats: standard and enhanced. The printer stores standard formats as ASCII data only. Enhanced stored formats are stored as fully mapped images in the image buffer, as well as ASCII data in the specified memory area.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Placing two variable field delimiters in a row creates a repeating field; i.e., will cause the printer to use the variable data from the previous variable field in the current field. This feature may be useful if you want to print the same data using two different fonts, or want to print the data as a rotated bar code and non-rotated text.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y NOTE: Determine nnn using the number of dot rows actually occupied by the stored object, rather than from the number of dot rows available on the physical label. Memory space reserved by nnn is unavailable for other uses. Specifying too large a value wastes image buffer space. Storing multiple enhanced formats can quickly use up the image buffer.
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S T O R I N G Example 1 D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y The following commands store the format that prints the label in the Format Recall example. Data is still needed for the description, price, and combined item/price. The printer will send prompts for this data to the serial port at print time. This is a standard stored format; notice that commands that define fixed data are freely mixed with commands that define variable data.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y GRAPHIC STORE Function Stores the graphics file following the command in the specified memory area NOTE: Use this command with a dummy header line, and do not use an END command or any other commands with it. The graphics data to be stored must immediately follow the GRAPHIC STORE command. Explicit Form GRAPHIC STORE Type xx Identifier Parameters Type Graphic file type.
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S T O R I N G Function D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Recalls a stored graphic from memory and prints labels as required. NOTE: Use this command with a dummy header line, and do not use an END command or any other commands with it. The graphics data to be stored must immediately follow the GRAPHIC STORE command. Explicit Form RECALL GRAPHIC Identifier x y Parameters identifier Stored object identifier assigned when the object was first stored.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Initialize Storage Function Clears all stored objects from the specified memory area in preparation for new data. NOTE: This command replaces the normal header line. Do not use any other commands, including the END command, with this command. Explicit Form !I xx Parameters xx Comments None Example The following command will clear nonvolatile RAM of all stored objects: Numeric identifier for the memory area to be cleared.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y List Stored Objects Function Scans all memory areas for stored objects (label formats and graphics), then prints a list of all the objects, their size in bytes, their memory location, and the amount of available memory in each memory area. NOTE: This command replaces the normal header line. Do not use any other commands, including the END command, with this command.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y DELIMIT Function Specifies the delimiter used to isolate variables within command lines. Explicit Form DELIMIT C Parameters C Comments Define the delimiter character before using any variables in a label format. The delimiter character must precede and follow every variable and its associated parameters. Delimiter character.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y DEFINE VARIABLE Function Defines a variable for use within printer commands in a label format. When the printer encounters a variable in a command line, it replaces the variable name with entered or stored data. It can also (optionally) send a prompt for data to the user via the serial port.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y length The maximum number of characters that are accepted as variable data. Allowable values are 1 to 32767, but available printer memory may impose a lower practical limit on this parameter. The DEFINE_VAR command also has a maximum line length of 254 characters, which will limit the variable length if it must be initialized. type Variable type. Available types are: P Protected.
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S T O R I N G range D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Input range specifier. Available specifiers are: A Only allows alphabetic characters N Only allows alphabetic and numeric characters (no punctuation) X Allows any character # Allows signed or unsigned whole numbers (no decimal point) You can specify a range for alphabetic or numeric variables by adding minimum and maximum values within double quotes. For example, # "100" "199" allows numeric values between 100 and 199 inclusive.
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S T O R I N G pad D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y R Places the data at the right end of the space specified by length parameter, filling the remaining space to the left with the character specified by pad. C Places the data in the center of the space specified by length parameter, filling the remaining space on both sides with the character specified by pad. N Tells the printer to ignore the length parameter so the variable data only occupies the space it actually needs.
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S T O R I N G “prompt” D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y ASCII text that the printer sends to the serial port when ready to receive data for the defined variable. Enclose the prompt text with quotation marks ("). If no prompt is desired, enter two quotation marks ("") with no characters between them. To include quotation marks within the prompt, precede the internal quotation mark with a backslash (\). Use two consecutive backslashes (\\) to include a backslash within the prompt.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Recall Menu Function Recalls a stored menu from memory and initiates its execution. NOTE: This command replaces the normal header line. Do not use any other commands, including the END command, with this command. Also, take care that no extraneous control characters follow the command; the printer may interpret them as menu control characters.
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S T O R I N G D A T A I N T H E P R I N T E R M E M O R Y Recall Variable Function Recalls a stored variable for user input. The printer will send the associated prompt to the serial port and await user input when it encounters this command. NOTE: This command replaces the normal header line. Do not use any other commands, including the END command, with this command.
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Chapter 5 Menu Commands A menu lets the user control the printer at print time through a set of predefined choices. Menus are typically used when the printer is connected to a simple controlling device, such as a keyboard/display unit. IMPORTANT! Menu programming is inherently complex, and is only useful if the user must control the printer with a non-programmable device (such as a dumb terminal or keyboard).
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M E N U C O M M A N D S Menu Programming Menus generally conform to the following structure: ! 0 0 0 0 MENU CONTROL cn nx pr sl MENU START x menuname MENU ITEM "item1" MENU ACTION command parameters MENU ACTION command parameters MENU EXIT MENU ITEM "item2" MENU ACTION command parameters MENU ITEM "item3" MENU ACTION command parameters ... MENU END END MENU CONTROL is an optional command that defines the four keyboard keys that scroll the menu, select menu items, and exit the menu.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S Menu Command List MENU ACTION MENU CONTROL MENU END MENU EXIT MENU ITEM MENU MESSAGE MENU START Recall Menu NOTE: There is no underscore between MENU and the sub-command name. For example, MENU ACTION is correct; MENU_ACTION is incorrect. Several other commands are especially useful when programming menus.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S MENU ACTION Function Specifies one or more commands that the printer will execute when the user selects the associated MENU ITEM. Any legitimate printer commands are allowed (including the Recall Menu command). The printer commands and associated parameters embedded within the MENU ACTION command must be bounded by quotation marks.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S If the printer finds a format header line within a MENU ACTION, it will expect all commands associated with that header line, up to and including the END command, to immediately follow within the same MENU ACTION command. You cannot split a label format over multiple MENU ACTION commands. Menus can contain MENU ACTION commands without any MENU ITEM commands. The printer will execute commands within such menus without operator intervention.
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M E N U Example 3 C O M M A N D S The following label format will store a menu called MENU_ONE. Each MENU ACTION command will print a different label: ! 0 0 0 0 MENU START 3 MENU_ONE MENU ITEM "Print label 1 \r" MENU ACTION "! 100 90 1\nW 224\n U A24 20 20 Label 1\nE\n" MENU ITEM "Print label 2 \r" MENU ACTION "! 100 90 1\nW 224\n U A24 20 20 Label 2\nE\n" MENU ITEM "Print label 3 \r" MENU ACTION "! 100 90 1\nW 224\n U A24 20 20 Label 3\nE\n" MENU END END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S MENU CONTROL Function Specifies the characters used to exit, "scroll," or select an item from a menu. In most applications, these characters are chosen by pressing the four keys on the external keyboard that correspond to keyboard functions "cancel," next," "previous," and "select." Explicit Form MENU CONTROL cn nx pr se Implicit Form MU CONTROL cn nx pr se Parameters cn The decimal ASCII value of the character used to cancel the current action.
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M E N U Example C O M M A N D S The following command tells the printer to use the "q", period, comma, and "a" keys for the cancel, next, previous, and select functions: MENU CONTROL 113 46 44 97 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S MENU END Function Signals the end of the menu definition. The printer will store the menu defined by the commands between MENU START and MENU END under the identifier specified in MENU START. NOTE: This command does not terminate menu execution. Use MENU EXIT for that. Explicit Form MENU END Implicit Form MU END Parameters None Comments The printer interprets all commands between MENU START and MENU END as part of the menu.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S MENU EXIT Function Signals the printer to terminate menu processing. The printer then processes any remaining commands in the label format that called the menu. Explicit Form MENU EXIT Implicit Form MU EXIT Parameters None Comments The printer only interprets MENU EXIT if the command is placed between the MENU START and MENU END commands. See also MENU START, MENU END, Recall Menu Example MENU EXIT Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S MENU ITEM Function Marks the beginning of a sequence of commands that will execute when the user selects the item from a programmed printer menu, and (optionally) defines text the printer will display when offering the menu to the user. The printer will send this text to the serial port when processing the stored menu, allowing the user to select the item either by item number or by menu scrolling.
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M E N U Comments C O M M A N D S MENU ITEM commands are only allowed between MENU START and MENU END commands (that is, only within menus). Up to ten menu items are allowed in each menu. The printer assigns a number to every menu item, with item 1 being the first item in the menu, item 2 the second item, etc. The tenth item is item 0. One or more MENU ACTION commands must follow every MENU ITEM command.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S MENU MESSAGE Function This causes text to be output to the serial port. It can be used to provide instructions to the user. Explicit Form MENU MESSAGE "...." Implicit Form MU MESSAGE "...." Parameters None Comments See also Example cpTextData “...” FUNCID=MENUMESSAGEFUNCID=17 STDBUFFERSIZE ImpMenuMessage 128 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S MENU START Function Signals the beginning of a menu definition and specifies the menu storage location and identifier. NOTE: This command does not execute the menu; the command only prepares the printer to receive the menu for storage. Use Recall Menu to execute stored menus. Explicit Form MENU START x menuname Implicit Form MU START x menuname Parameters x menuname Storage location.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S the printhead is closed. NOTE: To circumvent a programmed __BOOT__ menu, reset or apply power to the printer with the printhead open. The menu name _MENUC_ is reserved for storage of the MENU CONTROL characters. Do not use this name for your own menu. Comments The printer interprets all commands between MENU START and MENU END as part of the menu.
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M E N U C O M M A N D S Recall Menu Function Recalls a stored menu from memory and initiates its execution Explicit Form !R M menuname NOTE: This command replaces the normal header line. Do not use any other commands, including the END command, with this command. Also, take care that no extraneous control characters follow the command. The printer may interpret them as menu control characters. Parameters menuname is the alphanumeric identifier under which the menu was originally stored.
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Chapter 6 Printer Setup (VARIABLE) Commands VARIABLE commands let you change some of the printer's characteristics. These changes stay in effect until the printer is turned off or until they are changed by another VARIABLE command. NOTE: Do not confuse VARIABLE commands that control the printer with variable values which are used to represent data.
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P R I N T E R • S E T U P If you add ? at the end of any variable command, the printer will respond at the serial or USB port and return the current setting. NOTE: All VARIABLE commands, and especially the VARIABLE WRITE command, should be used with care since they can change the data in the printer's nonvolatile RAM. 134 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P You will probably need to use a few VARIABLE commands as a matter of routine, to set the printer up for various types of print media or print methods. We have prepared some sample label formats to cover these common requirements. Variable Command List The printer VARIABLE commands are listed below.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE ALLOCATE Function Reserves space in the image buffer for stored objects. Explicit Form VARIABLE ALLOCATE nnn. Implicit Form V ALLOCATE nnn. Parameters nnn Comments Flash RAM normally holds all stored objects (graphics and stored formats). The printer reserves all available standard RAM for the text buffer and image buffer. This may not be the best use of standard RAM in some applications.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE AUTOCUT Function Enables or disables automatic label cutting in printers so equipped. With automatic label cutting enabled, the printer will cut the label after printing the last dot row. With automatic label cutting disabled, the printer will not cut the label unless there is a HALT command in the label format.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE AUXPOWER Function This command turns is used to control the 5 volt power applied to pin 9 of the serial port connector. This voltage can supply up to 400 milliamps at 5 volts to equipment attached to the serial port connector such as a scanner or keyboard.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE BACKLIGHT Function This command indicates whether the LCD backlight should come on when a button is pressed or the display text changes. If enabled, the backlight only stays on for 3 seconds. Explicit Form VARIABLE BACKLIGHT on/off/? Implicit Form V BACKLIGHT on/off/? Parameters Comments Example • cpEnumStack[0] on/off/? (OnOffStat) FUNCID=VARBACKLIGHTID=166 NOBUFFER ImpVarBacklight Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE BEEPER Function This command sets the volume and duration of the beeper. Explicit Form VARIABLE BEEPER on/off/? [volume] [duration] Implicit Form V BEEPER on/off/? [volume] [duration] duration Parameters • Comments Example Duration is in 10ths of a second.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE BUFFER_TIMED_RESET Function Enables or disables the memory reset timer. Explicit Form VARIABLE BUFFER_TIMED_RESET duration Parameters duration Timer duration in 0.1 second intervals. The minimum value is 2 (0.2 seconds), maximum is 59990 (about one hour and forty minutes). The default value varies by printer type: Code Courier – The default value is 5 (0.5 seconds). You can also specify the value as ON or OFF.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE COMM IMPORTANT! Do not experiment with this command! Improper use can cause a loss of serial communication with the printer. Function Sets new serial port parameters. Explicit Form VARIABLE COMM speed,parity,length,stop, R Implicit Form V COMM speed,parity,length,stop, R NOTE: Notice that commas are used as delimiters between parameters, and there are no spaces. If you are uncertain of the printer's current serial port parameters, try 9600,N,8,2.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P word length, and stop bit combinations. The acceptable combinations are: N,8,1 or N,8,2 or O,7,1or O,8,1 or E,7,1 or E,8,1. Comments When enabled, robust XON/XOFF handshaking causes the printer to send an XON character once per second while it is ready to receive data. The printer will send an XOFF character for every character that overflows the printer's input buffer.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P Function This command sets the contrast level on the LCD display. Explicit Form VARIABLE CONTRAST level/? Implicit Form V CONTRAST level/? Parameters Comments Example • lLongStackCount 1 or 0 (query form) lpLongStack[0] level (ContrastLevelRange) FUNCID=VARCONTRASTID=165 NOBUFFER ImpVarBeeper Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE DARKNESS Function This command changes the printhead heat, thereby adjusting the darkness at which labels are printed. Always use the lightest acceptable VARIABLE DARKNESS setting to extend the life of the printhead. Explicit Form VARIABLE DARKNESS n Implicit Form V D n Parameters n Darkness value.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P some thermal transfer media. Example VARIABLE DARKNESS -25 NOTE: Always print labels at the lightest acceptable setting, to extend the life of the printhead. Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE ENERGY Function The printer maintains a fixed energy density of 200 mJoules independent of print speed. This command adjusts the energy density (in units of mJoules). It is intended to be used to compensate for media that requires more or less energy to create images of the proper optical density. VARIABLE DARKNESS may be used by the customer, but this command is intended to be an easier to use, more precise optical density control command for the C-series printer.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE FEED_TYPE Function Selects black bar or gap indexing. Explicit Form VARIABLE FEED_TYPE mode Implicit Form V F mode Parameters mode Comments When using this command, send it to the printer with VARIABLE WRITE in a non-printing label format. Do not use this command in stored label formats. Index mode – GAP selects gap indexing and BAR selects black bar indexing. The FEED_TYPE setting has no effect unless automatic label indexing is enabled.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE HIGHSPEED Function Changes the print speed to its highest available setting. The maximum print speed varies among printer models; consult your printer's User's Guide for more information. Explicit Form VARIABLE HIGHSPEED Implicit Form V HIGHSPEED Parameters None Comments Code Courier automatically adjusts its speed in response to ambient temperature and battery condition. Refer to the Code Courier User's Guide for details.
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P R I N T E R Example S E T U P VARIABLE HIGHSPEED NOTE: Print speed can affect bar code scanning reliability, especially when printing rotated bar codes. For best results, use print speeds of 2 IPS or less when printing rotated bar codes. Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R VARIABLE INDEX Function This command turns indexing on or off. Explicit Form VARIABLE INDEX on/off/? Implicit Form V INDEX on/off/? Parameters • Comments Example cpEnumStack[0] on/off/? (OnOffStat) FUNCID=INDEXONOFFID=48 NOBUFFER ImpVarIndexOnOff 152 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE INDEX SETTING Function Adjusts the index detector for optimum gap detection through a wide range of ribbon and label densities. The command is primarily for use with thermal transfer printers in gap indexing mode. There is no need to use this command when using black bar indexing. The C Series printers use the CALIBRATE parameter, but not any of the other parameters.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P indexing performance with a resin-based ribbon installed. The sensitivity of this mode is adjustable with the CALIBRATE mode. CALIBRATE Runs an index calibration, and then replaces the index data currently stored for mode 3 with the new data. The C Series printer uses only this parameter, not any of the other parameters. NOTE: Confirm that the correct print media is loaded before starting the calibration.
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P R I N T E R Example 1 S E T U P The following label format will set the automatic indexing mode: ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE INDEX SETTING 0 VARIABLE WRITE END Example 2 The following label format will calibrate the index detector: ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE INDEX SETTING CALIBRATE END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE IRDA Function This command turns the IrDa communications on or off. Explicit Form VARIABLE IRDA on/off/? Implicit Form V IRDA on/off/? Parameters • Comments Example cpEnumStack[0] on/off/? (OnOffStat) FUNCID=IRDAENABLEID=103 NOBUFFER dummyFunc 156 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R VARIABLE IRDA COMM Function This command chooses the IrDa baud rate. Explicit Form VARIABLE IRDA COMM baud Implicit Form V IRDA COMM baud Parameters Comments Example • cpEnumStack[0] baud (BaudRange) FUNCID=IRDACOMMSETTINGID=104 NOBUFFER dummyFunc Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE IRDA PROTOCOL Function This command chooses between the two available IrDa communications protocols: Lite or Denso. Explicit Form VARIABLE IRDA PROTOCOL protocol Implicit Form V IRDA PROTOCOL protocol Parameters • Comments Example cpEnumStack[0] protocol (IrDAProtocolEnumSet) FUNCID=IRDAPROTOCOLID=102 NOBUFFER dummyFunc 158 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE LOWSPEED Function Changes the printer speed to its lowest allowable value. Explicit Form VARIABLE LOWSPEED Implicit Form V LOWSPEED Parameters None Comments Code Courier automatically adjusts its speed in response to ambient temperature and battery condition. Refer to the printer's User's Guide for details.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE MEDIA_ADJUST Function Adjusts print contrast on object leading edges for optimum print quality. Adjustment of this parameter is not normally required, but may improve rotated bar code reliability in some circumstances. Printers that support this command employ an advanced "dot history" algorithm, which tracks the activity of each printhead dot from one dot row to the next.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P currently loaded media (for TT printers, both paper and ribbon). Cognitive suggests the following procedure for experimentally finding the optimum MEDIA_ADJUST value for your media. 1. Prepare the following label format: ! 0 100 190 1 PITCH 200 VARIABLE DARKNESS -70 VARIABLE MEDIA_ADJUST 3000 BARCODER CODABAR(2:4)- 20 10 200 0123456 BARCODER CODABAR(2:4)- 220 10 200 3456789 END The MEDIA_ADJUST 3000 command in the above label format will effectively turn off MEDIA_ADJUST.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P change may appear until you have changed the MEDIA_ADJUST value significantly; results vary with media sensitivity. Ideally, the narrow bars should be two dots wide. The leading edge of the wide bars should also darken until they are solid all the way across. 7. Vary the MEDIA_ADJUST value in large increments (about 500) and print the test label until the printed bar code approaches the appearance described in step 6.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE MODE Function Selects Blazer Emulation Mode in printers that support variable dot time, or sets the default print pitch in all other printers except the Code Courier and the C Series printers which do not support the command. Explicit Form VARIABLE MODE n scale Implicit Form V MODE n scale Parameters n Mode type. Acceptable values are 0, 1, and 2. In printers that do not support variable dot time, VARIABLE MODE 0 sets the default print pitch to its highest value.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P Comments When using this command, send it to the printer with VARIABLE WRITE in a non-printing label format. Do not use this command in stored label formats. See also VARIABLE PITCH Example ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE MODE 1 VARIABLE WRITE END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE NO_MEDIA Function Specifies how long the printer will run without detecting a label before assuming that it is out of media. This only applies to gap indexing mode Explicit Form VARIABLE NO_MEDIA nn Implicit Form V NO_MEDIA nn Parameters nn Number of label inches that the printer will try to feed before assuming it is out of media. Allowable values are 0 to 12, with a default of 1. A value of 0 disables this feature.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE NORMAL Function Changes the printer speed to a speed approximately halfway between the LOWSPEED and HIGHSPEED settings, or in printers with only two allowable speeds, sets the printer to the lowest speed. Your printer's User's Guide lists available print speeds. Explicit Form VARIABLE NORMAL Implicit Form V NORMAL Parameters None Comments Code Courier automatically adjusts its speed in response to ambient temperature and battery condition.
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P R I N T E R VARIABLE OFF AFTER Function Explicit Form VARIABLE OFF_AFTER time/? Implicit Form V OFF_AFTER time/? Parameters • Comments Example lLongStackCount 0 (query form) or 1 lpLongStack[0] time (SleepRange) FUNCID=OFFAFTERID=71 NOBUFFER ImpOff (not functional) 168 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLES ON/OFF Function Enables and disables access to certain protected VARIABLE values. Explicit Form VARIABLES status Parameters status Protection status. ON allows access to the protected VARIABLE settings. OFF prohibits access to the protected VARIABLE settings. The default is ON. Comments Do not use this command in stored label formats.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE PITCH Function Selects the default print pitch. Explicit Form VARIABLE PITCH n Implicit Form V PITCH n Parameters n Comments When using this command, send it to the printer with VARIABLE WRITE in a non-printing label format. Do not use this command in stored label formats. See also PITCH Example ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE PITCH 100 VARIABLE WRITE END 170 Default print pitch. Allowable values are as used in the PITCH command. Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE POSITION Function Moves the first printed dot row on the label up or down with respect to its last position. Explicit Form VARIABLE POSITION distance Implicit Form V POSITION distance Parameters distance Distance between the original starting location and the new location, in thousandths of an inch. Positive numbers move the first dot row down; negative numbers move the first dot row up.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE PRESENTLABEL Function Controls the dispensing of labels for application. VARIABLE PRESENTLABEL ensures a second set of labels is not printed before the operator is ready, and enables the user to change the distance fed forward and backward after printing. Explicit Form VARIABLE PRESENTLABEL Active Advance_Distance Retract_Distance Time_Delay VARIABLE PRESENTLABEL Action Implicit Form V PRESENTLABEL Action Parameters Active Valid values are ON and OFF.
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P R I N T E R Comments S E T U P When printing, the printer will first retract the media as specified by Retract_Distance. When the label is printed, the printer advances the media as specified by Advance_Distance. When printing a batch of labels, only the first label is retracted and the last label advanced. When using the HALT command, each label is presented using the Advance and Retract values. Exceeding the recommended limitations may damage the printer.
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P R I N T E R Example S E T U P The following example sets the Advance_Distance to 1.06 inches, the Retract_Distance to 1.00 inches and the Time_Delay to 10 seconds. All of the parameters must be present for the others to work. If only the Advance_Distance parameter is present, the Retract_Distance is set equal. Advance_Distance and Retract_Distance must be specified to enable the Time_Delay parameter. ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE PRESENTLABEL ON 106 100 10 VARIABLE WRITE END Table 4.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE PRINT_MODE Function Sets the printer up for direct thermal or thermal transfer printing. The command adjusts print darkness and gap indexing parameters and enables or disables the ribbon-out detector as needed for the selected print method.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE READ Function Reads the last saved variable values in permanent storage and uses them as the current values. The effect is the same as turning the printer off and then on again. Explicit Form VARIABLE READ Implicit Form V READ Parameters None Comments Do not use this command in stored label formats. See also VARIABLE WRITE 176 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE RECALIBRATE Function Turns automatic index calibration on or off. If enabled, automatic index calibration causes the printer to enter a recalibrate sequence when an indexing error is detected. Explicit Form VARIABLE RECALIBRATE on/off/? Implicit Form V RECALIBRATE on/off/? Parameters Comments Example • cpEnumStack[0] on/off/? (OnOffStat) FUNCID=VARRECALID=141 NOBUFFER ImpVarRecalibrate Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE REPORT_LEVEL Function Sets the manner in which the printer reports recoverable errors. Explicit Form VARIABLE REPORT_LEVEL n Implicit Form V REPORT_LEVEL n Parameters n Comments 0 No error reporting. This is the default error level in most printers. 1 Error messages are sent to the serial port. 2 Error messages are sent to the serial port and printed on the label. Send this command to the printer with VARIABLE WRITE in a non-printing label format.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE RESET Function Returns user-accessible VARIABLE parameters to known values. Affected parameters and their default values vary among printer models. The command writes the known values to nonvolatile RAM. Explicit Form VARIABLE RESET Implicit Form V RESET Parameters None Comments Do not use this command in stored label formats. NOTE: VARIABLES RESET immediately writes the new values to nonvolatile RAM without using VARIABLE WRITE.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE SLEEP_AFTER Function Sets the amount of time a portable printer will stay awake after completing a print job. Explicit Form VARIABLE SLEEP_AFTER duration Implicit Form V SLEEP_AFTER duration Parameters duration Length of time the printer will stay awake, in seconds. The allowable range is 0 to 255, with a default of one second. Setting duration to 0 will keep the printer awake continuously.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE SHIFT LEFT Function Shifts the printed image of all labels a specified distance to the left from the normal 0, 0 origin. Explicit Form VARIABLE SHIFT LEFT n Implicit Form V SHIFT LEFT n Parameters n Comments When using this command, send it to the printer with VARIABLE WRITE in a non-printing label format. Do not use this command in stored label formats Example The following command will shift the label image 1.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE TEXT BUFFER Function This command sets the size of the text buffer and the text overflow buffer. Explicit Form VARIABLE TXTBFR txt ovf Implicit Form V TXTBFR txt ovf Parameters txt Size of the text buffer, in bytes. The allowable range is 4096 to 65535, with a default of 4096. ovf Optional; specifies the size of the overflow buffer, in bytes. The allowable range is 0 to (txt - 1024).
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P R I N T E R S E T U P of the image buffer. Total memory size = text buffer + image buffer NOTE: Changing the text or overflow buffer sizes will delete any objects stored in the image buffer. See also VARIABLE ALLOCATE Example The following label format sets the text buffer size to 4 kilobytes: ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE TXTBFR 4096 VARIABLE WRITE END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE USER_FEEDBACK Function Enables or disables the transmission of certain status messages to the host computer. With this feature enabled, the printer regularly sends some status messages via the serial port. The printer will not send messages if the host computer is busy, (as indicated by the condition of its serial port CTS line.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE WIDTH Function Sets the default print width. Explicit Form VARIABLE WIDTH n Implicit Form V WIDTH n Parameters n Comments Use this command with VARIABLE WRITE in a nonprinting label format. Do not use this command in stored label formats. Print width, in hundredths of an inch. This command is functionally identical to the WIDTH command, except that it can set the new print width in nonvolatile RAM.
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P R I N T E R S E T U P VARIABLE WRITE Function Writes the current variable values to nonvolatile storage. Values in effect when VARIABLE WRITE is executed are retained in memory while the printer power is off. Explicit Form VARIABLE WRITE Implicit Form V WRITE Parameters None Comments You do not need to use this command every time you want to permanently change a VARIABLE value.
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P R I N T E R Example S E T U P The example below shows how to set a VARIABLE value in one label format with VARIABLE WRITE. But you must remember that this label format is also writing all other current VARIABLE values to nonvolatile RAM at the same time. ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE HIGHSPEED VARIABLE WRITE END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R PROMPTS Function Explicit Form PROMPTS ON/OFF/? Implicit Form Parameters • Comments Example cpEnumStack[0] ON,OFF,? (OnOffStat) FUNCID=PROMPTSFUNCID=9 NOBUFFER ImpPrompts 188 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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P R I N T E R DATASKIP Function Explicit Form DATASKIP count DATASKIP UNTIL char [repeat] Implicit Form Parameters Comments • Example lpLongStack[0] = count lpLongStack[0] = repeat cpCharStack[0] = char FUNCID=DATASKIPID=131 NOBUFFER dummyFunc Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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Chapter 7 Using VARIABLE Commands Printer configuration must be handled through VARIABLE commands. The sample label formats in this section are provided for your convenience, to help you set the printer up for some common configurations. To use these label formats, copy the format to Windows Notepad or a similar ASCII text editor, edit the label format as required, and then print the label format.
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U S I N G V A R I A B L E C O M M A N D S Blazer Compatibility As shipped, Barcode Blaster, Solus, and Blaster Advantage printers are not compatible with older Barcode Blazers, or with enhanced Blazers operating in nonlinear dot time mode. High speed Blasters can closely emulate Barcode Blazers. Solus and Advantage printers are more limited in their Blazer emulation.
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U S I N G V A R I A B L E C O M M A N D S The following label format disables Blazer emulation mode and returns the printer to normal operation: ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE MODE 0 VARIABLE WRITE END There are many aspects to printer compatibility. You may want to request a copy of Technical Bulletin 10-00-0131, which covers Blazer/Blaster compatibility in detail. Contact our Technical Support Organization for more information.
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U S I N G V A R I A B L E C O M M A N D S Setting Bar or Gap Index Type All currently manufactured Cognitive printers support black bar and gap indexing, and are shipped from the factory set for gap indexing. The VARIABLE FEED_TYPE command controls the index method. Use one of the following label formats to change the index type.
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U S I N G V A R I A B L E C O M M A N D S Thermal Transfer Printing with Standard Wax Ribbon The following label format will set the index detector for thermal transfer printing using Cognitive's standard wax ribbon: ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE INDEX SETTING 2 VARIABLE WRITE END Thermal Transfer Printing with Resin Ribbon The following label format will set the index detector for thermal transfer printing with typical resin-based ribbon installed: ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE INDEX SETTING 3 VARIABLE WRITE END Automatic
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U S I N G V A R I A B L E C O M M A N D S Calibrate the Index The following label format runs an index detector calibration routine, and then stores the new index detector sensitivity setting in nonvolatile RAM under index sensitivity 3. After calibration, the routine will set the printer in index mode 3: ! 0 0 0 0 VARIABLE INDEX SETTING CALIBRATE END NOTE: You do not need to use VARIABLE WRITE when using the CALIBRATE mode. CALIBRATE automatically writes its data to nonvolatile RAM.
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Chapter 8 RFID Commands Specific RFID commands have been added to the CPL language to support the RFID functionality of the Advantage RFID Thermal Printer. Programming Overview Most Cognitive printers use the same command language, which has become an industry standard.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S Programming Rules Use blank spaces exactly as shown in the command descriptions, examples, and syntax. Blank spaces are the delimiters between parameters. Omitting a necessary space may result in incorrect programming or a failure to recognize commands. In CPL-RFID programming, the RFID specific directives are casesensitive and must be fully spelled-out. Certain CPL-RFID commands operate outside of the standard label formatting.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RFID Command Structure Example The following listing is an example of RFID command usage. !RFID CONFIRM ON ! 0 100 1200 1 DELIMIT $ RF VAR_CLEAR WT 0 "COGNITIVE SOLUTIONS RFID xxxxxx" WT 16 "PATIENT ID:xxxxxx" RF HOST "RFID TAG WRITTEN" RF ID_GET RT 0 10 "A" 11 RT 16 31 "A" 21 RF HOST “$RF_IDNUM$” RF HOST "$RF 11$" RF HOST "$RF 21$" END Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RFID Commands Use the following commands to program RFID features of the Advantage RDIF printers. Standard Commands Variable Definitions Setup/Debug Commands RF ID_GET RF_TYPE !RFID ? RF HOST RF_IDNUM !RFID CONFIRM RF VAR_CLEAR RF_BLKSZ !RFID HOST RT RF LOCATION !RFID LEDFLSH WT !RFID LEDTIME WTLOCK !RFID MARK !RFID RDAFTWT !RFID RETRY !RFID SSONCMD !RFID TAGTYPE !RFID TIMEOUT !RFID TXAFTER !RFID VOID 200 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RF ID_GET Function This command is defined as "RFID Function", ID GET. This command retrieves the current RFID tag's unique identification number and returns it to the host. Explicit Form RF ID_GET Parameters None Response This command will automatically transmit the detected ‘Tag_ID’s numeric value to the Host Machine via the printer’s serial port.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RF HOST Function This command instructs the Printer to transmit the specified ASCII string to the Host Machine using the serial port. When used in conjunction with the printer "Delimit" command in a label format, certain variable values can also be returned to the host. Explicit Form RF HOST "ASCII-string-to-send-to-host" Parameters The data placed inside the " " can be either a variable such as RF TYPE or other ASCII data.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RF VAR_CLEAR Function This command instructs the Printer to clear and reset all of the internal RFID Read-Tag DataHandler Variables.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RT Function Read Tag. This command retrieves RFID-tag data from the tag currently positioned over RFID Reader/Writer H/W. Explicit Form RT ss ee “fmt” vv Parameters ss Starting block to begin reading octets (bytes) ee Ending block. Stop on this block after reading the contents. “fmt” Format of the data being read. Use A for ASCII.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S WT Function Write Tag. This command stores the quoted data to the RFID-Tag currently positioned over RFID Reader/Writer H/W. The data begins storage at the ss Tag-block and extends to and zero pads any unused bytes within the ending block. Explicit Form WT ss “data” Parameters ss Starting block to begin reading octets (bytes) “data” Collection of data octets to be written to the RFID tag. The size of "data" must be in the range of 1-255 octets.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S WTLOCK Function Write and Lock Tag. The command permanently writes data to a tag. As with the WT command, the user is responsible for maintaining the 63 byte requirement. Refer to the note in the Example section. Approximately 15 seconds, with no retries, is required to write lock a full blank tag. NOTE: This command will overwrite any non-locked portion of a tag. Attempting to overwrite a locked portion of the tag will result in a failure.
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R F I D Example C O M M A N D S To Printer: ! 0 100 800 0 DELIMIT $ WTLOCK 0 "123-1234-123" WT 4 "John Q. Public" WT 10 "Medical Information" RT 0 3 "A" 33 RF HOST "$RF 33$" END From Printer: 123-1234-123 NOTE: Individual Read or Write transfers to/from the RFID-Tags are limited to 64 bytes maximum (63 characters terminated in a null character). CPL command lines are naturally limited to 256 bytes.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RF_TYPE Function This is an RFID reserved and internal variable contains the last RFID-Tag’s Type. This variable is often used in conjunction with the RF HOST command.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RF_IDNUM Function This command is defined as "Reference Find" ID Number. This command returns the unique tag identification number and is often used in conjunction with the RF HOST command. Explicit Form $RF_IDNUM$ Parameters None Response The Printer’s parser will replace any Static or Derived Variables with valued string associated with variable and then attempt to execute the CPL or CPL-RFID command.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RF_BLKSZ Function This command is defined as "Reference Find", Block Size. The command returns the block size for a specific tag type. This variable is often used in conjunction with the RF HOST command to return the tag block size to the host. Explicit Form $RF_BLKSZ$ Parameters None Response The printer’s parser will replace any Static or Derived Variables with valued string associated with variable and then attempt to execute the CPL or CPL-RFID command.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S RF LOCATION Function This command is defined as "Reference Find", Variable at Location #. The command returns the value that was stored in a printer variable with the RT command where nn is an argument to be specified. Explicit Form $RF nn$ Parameters nn Response The printer’s parser will replace any Static or Derived Variables with valued string associated with variable and then attempt to execute the CPL or CPL-RFID command.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID ? Function This command queries the printer for a summary of the existing printer settings for RFID functionality. Explicit Form !RFID ? Parameters None Response See example below.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID CONFIRM Function Controls the transmission of a ‘Success’ or ‘Failure’ indication at the very end of any CPL-RFID command’s execution. Explicit Form !RFID CONFIRM on/off Parameters ON When the setting is ON, the printer will return RFID:SUCCESS or RFID :FAILURE for every command issued to the printer. OFF When set to OFF, no messages are sent to the host.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID HOST Function This command instructs the Printer to transmit the specified ASCII string to the Host Machine using the serial port. When used in conjunction with the printer "Delimit" command in a label format, certain variable values can also be returned to the host. Explicit Form RF HOST "ASCII-string-to-send-to-host" Parameters The data placed inside the " " must be ASCII data. Data length must be between 0 and 240 characters.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID LEDFLSH Function Controls the transmission of a ‘Success’ or ‘Failure’ indication to the LED display during and at the very end of any CPL-RFID command’s execution. Explicit Form !RFID LEDFLSH ON/OFF/ACCUM Parameters ON Flashes LED (Green for Success) or (Red for Failure) after any CPL-RFID command completion OFF Does NOT flash any LED after CPLRFID command completions.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID LEDTIME Function Regulates the interval of LED illumination and LED OFF time used in generation of an LED Flash on ‘Success’ or ‘Failure’. Explicit Form !RFID LEDTIME nn Parameters nn Response No specific response Command Type RFID Setup/Debug Command Example To Printer: Determines the LED illumination interval. Range is 0 to 5000.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID MARK Function This command sets whether or not to print a defined mark on a label that fails to write expected data to an RFID tag. Explicit Form !RFID MARK ON/OFF Parameters ON Response No specific response Command Type RFID Setup/Debug Command Example To Printer: When the setting is ON, the printer will mark a label that fails a RT, WT, or WTLOCK command.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID RDAFTWT Function This command initiates an integrity test following a WT command. Data is read and undergoes a byteby-byte comparison with the initial data. The comparison occurs before the WT command is returned as successful or failed. Explicit Form !RFID RDAFTWT ON/OFF Parameters ON Byte-by-byte comparison with initial data is performed. OFF No comparison is performed.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID RETRY Function This command sets the number of retries that the printer will perform on a RT, WT, or WTLOCK command. To enter the retry loop, the printer must fail a specific command after reading the tag identification and type. Explicit Form !RFID RETRY nn Parameters nn Response No specific response Command Type RFID Setup/Debug Command Example To Printer: Number of retries allowed. A maximum of 50 retries is permitted.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID SSONCMD Function This command controls the automatic execution of a Select-Tag command prior to the Host Command to RT, WT, or WTLOCK an RFID tag. Explicit Form !RFID SSONCMD ON/OFF Parameters ON Causes automatic Select-Tag command executions before any RT, WT or WTLOCK command. OFF Select-Tag command occurs on the first RT, WT, or WTLOCK command of a label format and does not reoccur prior to the END command.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID TAGTYPE Function This command verifies a tag type. Enter the tag type and verify the change with the !RFID ? command. Explicit Form !RFID TAGTYPE ISO/TI/PHILPS Parameters ISO Sets the industry standard ISO-15693 tag type TI Sets Texas-Instrument’s ‘Tag-it HF’ tag type. PHILPS Sets Philips ‘I-Code1 (SL1)’ tag type.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID TIMEOUT Function This command sets the time delay, in milliseconds, to wait before considering a command a failure. NOTE: The parameters are part of a calculation and do not translate into exact execution time differences. Explicit Form !RFID TIMEOUT bb,ss,rr,ww,ll Parameters bb Base Time Out – Specifies the time delay in milliseconds. The range of this parameter is 0 through 5000. ss Base Time Out – Specifies the time delay in milliseconds.
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R F I D Example C O M M A N D S To Printer: !RFID 20,,,,50 !RFID ? From Printer: Setup/Config Parameters: | | | Base Cmd Timeout: 20 Msecs Select Tag Timeout: 70 Msecs Read Tag Timeout: 16 MSecs Write Tag Timeout: 32 MSecs Lock Tag Timeout: 50 Msecs NOTE: All CPL-RFID Configuration-Setup Commands are processed outside the context of a standard CPL Label-Format, that is, CPL beginning with a header-line ‘! 0 100 nnn 1’ and ending with ‘END’.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID TXAFTER Function This command controls the state of the hardware’s RF carrier transmission after any Host Command to read, write or write and lock an RFID-Tag Explicit Form !RFID TXAFTER ON/OFF Parameters ON Causes hardware to keep RF carrier transmission ON after CPL-RFID TagInterface command completion.
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R F I D C O M M A N D S !RFID VOID Function This command instructs the printer to use this specified ASCII string to stamp or print on failing RFID-Tags if and only if !RFID MARK ON is selected. Explicit Form !RFID VOID “ASCII-String-to-Stamp-BadTags” Parameters “ASCIIString-toStamp-BadTags” Command Type RFID Setup/Debug Command Example To Printer: Text string to stamp or print on failed tags. String must be 0 to 22 characters in length.
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Chapter 9 Ethernet Printer Information Ethernet printers are full-featured bar code label and tag printers designed to interface directly with the Ethernet network. The printer works with any TCP/IP system. Additionally, it has a Centronics parallel interface for connection to a standalone computer or terminal. Many models also have a serial port or USB port. Note: A special cable is necessary for the C Series parallel and serial ports.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N Network Protocols The printer will work with any system having TCP/IP support. It will not work with Netware IPX, Microsoft NetBEUI protocol, Appletalk, LAN Manager, or Microsoft Windows Network. Network Applications Cognitive Ethernet equipped printers utilize TCP/IP for their communications protocol.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N Use TCP port 23 for Telnet connection to the printer. the port supports the following commands: BOOTP Bootp (Boot protocol) is provided to enable dynamic IP address assignment. Bootp requests are broadcast via UDP port 67. Port 68 will listen for a response. When Bootp is enabled it will cause a 5 second delay at turn-on. The printer supports the following Bootptab variables; all other variables are ignored.
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E T H E T N E T OPTION Name P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N Notes 1 Subnet Mask required 3 Router required 67 Boot file name optional Printer Configuration The printer supports several print methods. Select the print method appropriate for your application. In most cases, LPD is the recommended method. The printer appears as a remote host with a remote print queue when using this method. An alternate method is via a direct socket connection using RTEL in the printer.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N You may disconnect the USB, serial, or parallel port and connect the printer to your network after sending the configuration data to the printer. A sample configuration file follows: ! 0 0 0 0 V ETHERNET V ETHERNET V ETHERNET V WRITE V ETHERNET END IP 130.10.50.105 NETMASK 255.255.0.0 GATEWAY 130.10.250.1 RESET The new configuration settings will not take effect until you reset the printer.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N ETHERNET” commands will change the settings printed, but the printer will not use these new settings until it has been power-cycled. Note: Turn the printer off and back on again to clear Hex Dump mode and resume normal operation. Variable Commands Several VARIABLE commands support configuration of the Ethernet printer. Most of these commands execute simple on-off functions, and accept ON or OFF as their associated parameters.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N Ethernet Variable Commands Use the following variable commands to program Ethernet features of Ethernet printers.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET BOOTP Function Starts up the printer by reading configuration information from the server. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET BOOTP status Implicit Form V ETHERNET BOOTP status Parameters status = Bootp enabled or disabled; ON or OFF. The default is ON. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET BOOTP ON Note: The Advantage LX and Del Sol models uses this command to control its DHCP protocol.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP Function Turns DHCP on or off. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP On/Off/? Implicit Form V ETHERNET DHCP On/Off/? Parameters status=DHCP enabled or disabled; ON or OFF. The default is ON. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP ON Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP_CRIT Function The criteria by which the printer chooses among multiple DHCP IP address assignment offers. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP_CRIT d Implicit Form V ETHERNET DHCP_CRIT d Parameters d The number indicating the criteria 0=FIRST First DHCP offer received by the printer. 1=LONGEST Longest Lease Time DHCP offer received by the printer.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP_OFFERS Function This is the number of seconds that the printer is willing to wait for DHCP offers before failing the DHCP process if no acceptable offers were received or picking amongst the acceptable ones. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP_OFFERS seconds Implicit Form V ETHERNET DHCP_OFFERS seconds Parameters seconds= the number of seconds for the printer to wait before deciding which DHCP offer to accept.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET FIRMWARE Function The printer compares the pn, rev, and build with the currently loaded firmware and if the specified firmware is newer the printer contacts the indicated TFTP server (server) and requests the file (fname) be sent to the printer using the TFTP protocol.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET GATEWAY Function Sets the gateway. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET GATEWAY ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd Implicit Form V ETHERNET GATEWAY ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd Parameters ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd is the IP address of the subnet’s router. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET GATEWAY 10.0.0.1 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET JOBSOKINERROR Function Determines whether the printer accepts LPD print jobs if the printer is in an error condition. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET JOBSOKINERROR On/Off/? Implicit Form V ETHERNET JOBSOKINERROR On/Off/? Parameters status= JOBSOKINERROR enabled or disabled; ON or OFF. The default is OFF. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET JOBSOKINERROR OFF 240 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET LPD Function Turns LPD on or off. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET LPD status Implicit Form V ETHERNET LPD status Parameters status = LPD enabled or disabled; ON or OFF. The default is ON. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET LPD ON Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET TELNET Function Enables or disables the Telnet communication protocol services in the printer. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET TELNET status Implicit Form V ETHERNET TELNET status Parameters status = Telnet enabled or disabled; ON or OFF. The default is ON. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET TELNET ON 242 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET IP Function Sets the static Ethernet IP address. This is used if DHCP is not in use.. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET IP ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd Implicit Form V ETHERNET IP ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd Parameters ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd is the IP address of the printer. The default is 000.000.000.000, which is an INVALID IP address. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET IP 10.0.0.3 Note: In printers that support bootp; this command will not work if bootp is enabled.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET Function Resets the printer. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET Implicit Form V ETHERNET RESET Parameters None Example VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET 244 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET COMMUNITY Function Reset the SNMP COMMUNITY name. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET COMMUNITY Implicit Form V ETHERNET RESET COMMUNITY Parameters None Example VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET COMMUNITY NOTE: The reset SNMP community name will be “public”. Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL Function Enables or disables reverse telnet communication (RTEL) with the printer. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL status Implicit Form V ETHERNET RTEL status Parameters status = RTEL enabled or disabled; ON or OFF. The default is OFF. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL ON 246 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL PORT Function Sets the reverse telnet (RTEL) port address. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL PORT ddddd Implicit Form V ETHERNET RTEL PORT ddddd Parameters ddddd = Reverse telnet port address. The default is 9100. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL PORT 9100 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL TIMEOUT Function The time the printer keeps the connection open when the port is inactive before closing the connection. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL TIMEOUT seconds Implicit Form V ETHERNET RTEL TIMEOUT seconds Parameters seconds= the number of seconds without receiving a data packet before the printer closes the connection. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET RTEL TIMEOUT 30 248 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET TEXT BUFFER Function Sets the size of the Ethernet buffer. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET TXTBFR bfr_size[,ovrflw_size] Implicit Form V ETHERNET TXTBFR bfr_size[,ovrflw_size] Parameters bfr size= Total size of the memory buffer used for Ethernet communications. ovrflw size= Number of free bytes in the memory buffer when the printer declares itself busy.
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E T H E T N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET NETMASK Function Sets Ethernet Subnet Mask. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET NETMASK ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd Implicit Form V ETHERNET NETMASK ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd Parameters ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd is the Subnet Mask of the local network where the printer is connected. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET NETMASK 255.255.255.0 250 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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E T H E R N E T P R I N T E R I N F O R M A T I O N VARIABLE ETHERNET SERVER Function Sets the default DHCP/TFTP server address. Explicit Form VARIABLE ETHERNET SERVER ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd Implicit Form V ETHERNET SERVER ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd Parameters ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd = the IP address of the selected DHCP/TFTP server. Example VARIABLE ETHERNET SERVER 10.0.0.2 Copyright © 2006, Cognitive.
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Chapter 10 Bar Code Information All rules of bar code symbologies must be followed when creating bar code commands. Some of the rules for the most commonly used bar code symbologies are listed below. For more information on bar codes as supported in Cognitive printers, refer to the BARCODE command description and Table 2, Printer bar code support.
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B A R C O D E I N F O R M A T I O N I2OF5 AND D2OF5 I2OF5 (Interleaved 2 of 5) is an interleaved code, used mainly in the distribution industry. It supports numbers 0-9 only. It can use a checksum digit, but the user must calculate and enter the checksum manually as part of the code. I2OF5 uses start and stop characters, which the printer generates automatically. Because of the interleaved pattern, an even number of digits (including the checksum, if used) must be placed in the bar code string.
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B A R C O D E I N F O R M A T I O N The characters represented by Code 39 are represented in Code 93 as single bar code characters, but all other Code 93 characters are represented by a control character plus another character. You must take this into account when estimating bar code length. EAN, EAN8, and EAN13 EAN (European Article Numbering) codes are an extension of the UPC system. A bar code scanner set to read EAN can read UPC; however, a scanner set for UPC may not read EAN.
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B A R C O D E I N F O R M A T I O N Since you may use any of the four start/stop characters on either end of the symbol, there are 16 possible combinations. These combinations can identify the product type or other information. PLESSEY AND MSI1 PLESSEY code supports numerals 0-9, plus six additional characters (typically A-F). PLESSEY uses a check digit, but the check digit may be calculated several different ways.
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B A R C O D E I N F O R M A T I O N by the allowable pattern of bars and spaces in each codeword. The printer converts the raw data to a series of numeric values following rules that provide optimum data compression. PDF417 provides several different rule sets, or modes, for optimum data compression. PDF417 provides error detection and correction within the bar code block. The thoroughness of the automatic error checking is called the security level of the code.
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B A R C O D E I N F O R M A T I O N Postnet uses a start and stop bar and a modulo 10 check digit. Cognitive printers automatically calculate and add this digit to the code. CODE128 A, B, C CODE128 uses 106 unique characters in three character sets to represent the numerals 0 through 9, the English alphabet in both upper and lowercase, some punctuation, and some special characters.
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B A R C O D E I N F O R M A T I O N If you want a caret to actually appear on the label, place a caret before every caret you want printed. For example, ^^ prints one caret, and ^^^^ prints two carets. When the version of CODE128 is selected in the printer command file, the printer takes care of inserting the correct start character and stop character for the version of CODE128 selected. Only visible characters are centered and printed under the bar code.
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B A R Example 3 C O D E I N F O R M A T I O N Print the CODE128C bar code 1234567. CODE128C is a double digit bar code, printing the same bar code number in half the width as CODE128A. Because it is a double digit bar code, it will accept an even number of digits only. ! 0 120 115 1 BARCODE CODE128C 152 66 20 12345678 STRING 12 X 16 140 22 CODE 128C END CODE16K CODE16K is a multi-row symbology based on CODE128. It offers the features of CODE128 with the added density of a two-dimensional bar code.
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Chapter 11 Media Tips and Tricks Labels are available in a large variety of types and sizes. Some label characteristics must be taken into account when programming the printer. Media characteristics that can affect printer programming and printer performance are: Label/tag size and shape Relates to the WIDTH, VARIABLE WIDTH and VARIABLE SHIFT LEFT commands. Adhesive type Can affect printer peelback performance. Print method Relates to the VARIABLE PRINT_MODE command.
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M E D I A T I P S A N D T R I C K S Adhesives Labels can come without adhesive (e.g.
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Cut Type (Butt Cut, Gap Cut, or Continuous Form) Butt cut labels are separated from each other by a simple cut, leaving square edges. Gap cut labels are separated by a gap. Labels may be made in many shapes for special purposes such as the "butterfly" shape used for jewelry and eyeglass labels. Continuous form media has no perforation, gap, or bar and is typically used with cutter-equipped printers like the Blaster CL.
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M E D I A T I P S A N D T R I C K S Media Sensitivity Different media types exhibit different heat sensitivity. The VARIABLE_DARKNESS command controls the amount of printhead heat. Different media types can also exhibit different response times. The media is in motion while the printhead dots are heating and cooling, so areas of the label that theoretically should stay white are subjected to temperatures close to their darkening temperature.
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Chapter 12 Troubleshooting Most programming problems quickly resolve themselves with careful examination of the offending label format or program code. When you cannot solve a problem by simply reviewing your work, your best approach is to start troubleshooting using the information in your User’s Guide. NOTE: Some programming problems can masquerade as hardware problems.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G STRING 8X8 10 10 HELLO END If the printer will not print this label but does print labels that were prepared on another system, your system may not be compatible with the printer. The most common cause of this is improper end-ofline termination. NOTE: Hex dump mode allows you to see every character that reaches the printer. Use of hex dump mode can help resolve some programming problems. 11. Check the label format header line.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G Common Issues This section describes printing issues that you may encounter and suggestions for resolving them. Printer does not respond to incoming data. 13. Cause: The label format does not terminate with a proper END command. Cure: Terminate all label formats with an END command, unless specifically instructed otherwise by a particular command description. Terminate every format line with a carriage return and line feed. 14.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G Printer prints the label format text rather than the intended label. Cause: You are sending the label format to the printer from Microsoft Windows, and the current printer driver is converting the label format to ASCII commands. For example, you are using the Cognitive Windows driver or a similar printer driver. Cure: Use the "generic ASCII" driver when sending label formats to the printer from Windows.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G Printer prints labels, but print quality is poor. 23. Cause: Possible hardware problem. Cure: Refer to the printer User’s Guide. 24. Cause: Incorrect print media, for example, using direct thermal paper while printing in thermal transfer mode. Cure: Load the correct print media for your printer and application. Confirm that the software is setting the printer for the correct print method. 25. Cause: Using Value Grade media in a printer set up for standard media.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G 30. Cause: If programming a high speed Barcode Blaster, Blazer Emulation Mode may be enabled. Cure: Disable Blazer Emulation Mode unless your application strictly requires it. Printer does not index properly. 31. Cause: The printer received a NOINDEX command. NOINDEX remains in effect until the printer is turned off or receives an INDEX command. Cure: Send the printer an INDEX command. Confirm that your label format does not contain an unwanted NOINDEX. 32.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G 36. Cause: Dot time in header line is too large. Cure: Reduce dot time. 37. Cause: Label format was designed for a different printer model or for a printer with different dot time behavior. Cure: Adjust the label format accordingly. Printer prints the wrong number of labels. Cause: The header line specifies the wrong number of labels. Cure: Correct the header line.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G 41. Cause: If you are using a high speed Barcode Blaster, the printer may have received one of the following commands or command parameters: MULTIPLE OFFSET WIDTH VARIABLE MODE 1 or VARIABLE MODE 2 Nonzero header line X parameter These will cause the printer to reduce speed while printing. Cure: Rewrite your label format to avoid these commands. Cutter-equipped printer does not cut labels. Cause: VARIABLE AUTOCUT is OFF, and the label formats do not contain a HALT command.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G Numeric values do not increment properly in response to the ADJUST command. 42. Cause: The numeric value you wish to adjust has more digits than the parameter specified in the ADJUST command. Cure: Pad the ADJUST parameter with leading zeros as required. 43. Cause: You are trying to adjust a numeric value to a number with more digits than the original value. Cure: Pad the original value with leading zeros as required. 44. Cause: You are using a MULTIPLE command with ADJUST.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G STRING or TEXT fonts do not work. Cause: The memory area containing the STRING or TEXT fonts has been unintentionally initialized, erasing the fonts. See the INITIALIZE STORAGE command for more information. Cure: You will have to reload the fonts into nonvolatile RAM. Contact the factory for assistance. Printed bar codes will not scan. 46. Cause: The bar code block is located too near the label edge, or too close to another label component.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G Graphics Programming Issues Graphics programming is inherently more complex than ASCII programming, but is subject to the same problems. Resolve any ASCII programming problems before spending too much time troubleshooting graphics files. If you can successfully print ASCII format files, try printing a proven graphics label format file. If a proven graphics file will not print, suspect a printer/host communications problem.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G 54. Cause: The graphics file is too large for the available memory space. Cure: Calculate available printer memory and confirm that your graphics file will fit. Remember that the available memory is cut in half when using background graphics mode. If you are near the memory limits, you may have to rewrite the graphics file. Random dots or lines appear on the finished label. 55. Cause: The host system is appending unwanted end-of-line terminators to the graphics data.
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G Index ! E !D · 97 !I · 105 !L · 106 !R · 98 !R M · 113 !R V · 114 !S · 99 END · 42 Ethernet Commands BOOTP · 234 VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP · 235 VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP_CRIT · 236 VARIABLE ETHERNET DHCP_OFFERS · 237 VARIABLE ETHERNET FIRMWARE · 238 VARIABLE ETHERNET GATEWAY · 239 VARIABLE ETHERNET IP · 243 VARIABLE ETHERNET JOBSOKINERROR · 240 VARIABLE ETHERNET LPD · 241 VARIABLE ETHERNET NETMASK · 250 VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET · 244 VARIABLE ETHERNET RESET COMMUNITY · 245 VARIAB
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!RFID HOST · 214 !RFID LEDFLSH · 215 !RFID LEDTIME · 216 !RFID MARK · 217 !RFID RDAFTWT · 218 !RFID RETRY · 219 !RFID SSONCMD · 220 !RFID TAGTYPE · 221 !RFID TIMEOUT · 222 !RFID TXAFTER · 224 !RFID VOID · 225 RF HOST · 202 RF ID_GET · 201 RF LOCATION · 211 RF TYPE · 208 RF VAR_CLEAR · 203 RF_BLKSZ · 210 RF_IDNUM · 209 RT · 204 WT · 205 WTLOCK · 206 ROTATE R90, R180, R270 · 72 I INDEX · 55 Initialize Storage · 105 J JUSTIFY · 56 L label skipping · 171 List Stored Objects · 106 LOGO mode · 58 M MENU ACTIO
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T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G VARIABLE IRDA · 156 VARIABLE IRDA COMM · 157 VARIABLE IRDA PROTOCOL · 158 VARIABLE LOWSPEED · 159 VARIABLE MEDIA_ADJUST · 160 VARIABLE MODE · 164 VARIABLE NO_MEDIA · 166 VARIABLE NORMAL · 167 VARIABLE OFF AFTER · 168 VARIABLE PITCH · 170 VARIABLE POSITION · 171 VARIABLE PRESENTLABEL · 172 VARIABLE PRINT_MODE · 175 VARIABLE READ · 176 VARIABLE RECALIBRATE · 177 VARIABLE REPORT_LEVEL · 178 VARIABLE RESET · 179 VARIABLE SHIFT LEFT · 181 VARIABLE SLEEP_AFTER · 180 VARIABLE TEXT B